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Open Access 12-04-2025 | Eating Disorder | Review

The romanticisation of mental health problems in adolescents and its implications: a narrative review

Authors: Awa Ndour, Lucy Foulkes

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

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Abstract

Romanticisation is the perception and portrayal of a phenomenon as more attractive, interesting, cool, profound or desirable than it really is. There are concerns that mental health problems are increasingly romanticised, particularly among adolescents, but there is limited research on this topic. This narrative review investigated: (1) what romanticisation is in the context of adolescent mental health problems, (2) why adolescents might romanticise mental health problems, (3) the implications of romanticising mental health problems in adolescence, and (4) what interventions might reduce this phenomenon. Sixty-one publications were reviewed, including qualitative and quantitative analyses, cross-sectional and longitudinal self-report studies and conceptual reviews. Most investigated romanticisation of mental health problems online, with most researchers situated in a Western context. Identity formation, popular media influences and peer influences arose as potential explanatory factors. Negative outcomes to romanticisation were indicated, including the reinforcement of mental health problems and reduced help-seeking; few interventions to reduce the phenomenon have been proposed to date.
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Metadata
Title
The romanticisation of mental health problems in adolescents and its implications: a narrative review
Authors
Awa Ndour
Lucy Foulkes
Publication date
12-04-2025
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-025-02701-0