University of Liverpool: New research to explore young people’s experiences of emotional support

The University of Liverpool’s Health Inequality Policy Research Group (HIP-R) has been selected by independent charity Health Foundation, to be part of its new research programme exploring what shapes the emotional support that young people experience, and the effect this has on their mental health outcomes.

Research has shown that emotional support can act as a protective factor or ‘buffer’ when it comes to young people’s mental health outcomes. However, research is needed to understand how family circumstances and family members’ working lives impact on their ability to provide this emotional support.

The Emotional Support for Young People programme is supporting four teams with funding of between £100,000 and £200,000 to complete their research projects over 18 months.

The project from the Liverpool HIP-R team will investigate how wider social factors and experience of adversity across childhood influence young people’s family relationships, the emotional support they receive and subsequent mental health.

Dr Nicholas Kofi Adjei, Research Associate said: “The evidence will help identify the role of family support on young people’s mental health, and how broader socio-economic factors influence the perceived level of social support that young people receive. The results will inform policies to reduce the large inequalities in adolescent health outcomes for UK children.”

Martina Kane, Policy and Engagement Manager at the Health Foundation, said: “We are pleased to be supporting these research teams as they undertake this vital exploration of the link between wider determinants of health, such as economic security, and young people’s mental health.”