TY - JOUR
AU - S. Honisett
AU - I. Williams
AU - J. Ding
AU - S. Woolfenden
AU - L. Minton
AU - R. Lingam
AU - N. Hackworth
AU - V. Eapen
AU - J. Eastwood
AU - S. Goldfeld
A1 - 
AB - INTRODUCTION: To explore caregivers' (i) priorities and challenges in seeking and using relevant information and services to support their children's mental health, and (ii) preferences for digital solutions that could meet their needs. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 caregivers experiencing adversity. Transcripts were analysed employing framework analysis. RESULTS: When seeking information and support services, caregivers prioritised feeling understood and not being judged. Common challenges were too much or not enough relevant information; lack of time and a 'solution burden' to find support; as well as being unsure how to progress seeking appropriate support. Caregivers used a range of online search strategies to seek information and services to support their child's health needs. They expressed a need for a digital solution that was practical and non-judgemental. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers often sought information and services online but faced challenges with navigating the abundance of resources. A practical and simple online solution providing the right information and services at the right time is critically needed. SO WHAT: A digital navigation platform providing evidence-based information and services could assist caregivers in navigating the complex process of seeking support for child and family health and wellbeing.
AD - Policy and Equity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.; Design for Health, Melbourne, Australia.; Community Paediatric Research Group, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Women, Children and Their Families, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.; Health Equity Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.; Population Child Health and Health Services Research, School of Clinical Medicine UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.; Raising Children Network, Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Senior Research and Knowledge Translation Specialist, Parenting Research Centre, Adjunct Research Fellow, LaTrobe University, Melbourne Victoria, Australia.; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney -Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney Local Health District and Ingham Institute, Sydney, Australia.; National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence for Integrated Health and Social Care, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.; Sydney Institute for Women, Children and Their Families, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.; Centre for Community Child Health, Theme Director, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.; Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
AN - 41589023
BT - Health Promot J Austr
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 2
DA - 04/2026
DO - 10.1002/hpja.70151
DP - NLM
IS - 2
JF - Health Promot J Austr
LA - eng
N2 - INTRODUCTION: To explore caregivers' (i) priorities and challenges in seeking and using relevant information and services to support their children's mental health, and (ii) preferences for digital solutions that could meet their needs. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 caregivers experiencing adversity. Transcripts were analysed employing framework analysis. RESULTS: When seeking information and support services, caregivers prioritised feeling understood and not being judged. Common challenges were too much or not enough relevant information; lack of time and a 'solution burden' to find support; as well as being unsure how to progress seeking appropriate support. Caregivers used a range of online search strategies to seek information and services to support their child's health needs. They expressed a need for a digital solution that was practical and non-judgemental. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers often sought information and services online but faced challenges with navigating the abundance of resources. A practical and simple online solution providing the right information and services at the right time is critically needed. SO WHAT: A digital navigation platform providing evidence-based information and services could assist caregivers in navigating the complex process of seeking support for child and family health and wellbeing.
PY - 2026
SN - 1036-1073 (Print); 1036-1073
SP - e70151
ST - How Do Families Experiencing Adversity Seek Information and Services to Support Their Child's Mental Health? A Qualitative Study
T1 - How Do Families Experiencing Adversity Seek Information and Services to Support Their Child's Mental Health? A Qualitative Study
T2 - Health Promot J Austr
TI - How Do Families Experiencing Adversity Seek Information and Services to Support Their Child's Mental Health? A Qualitative Study
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1002/hpja.70151
VL - 37
VO - 1036-1073 (Print); 1036-1073
Y1 - 2026
ER -