BACKGROUND Use of technological resources that provide support for mental health (ie, digital mental health tools) and opportunities to use the internet to communicate with others or receive information about mental health (ie, online mental health communication) are growing in popularity among young adults (ages 18-29). Black young adults are exposed to the negative experience of racism online, which may influence their use of digital mental health tools and online mental health communication. OBJECTIVE This study sought to examine (1) how the frequency of exposure to online racism is associated with use of digital mental health tools and engagement in online mental health communication, and (2) how these associations differ for those with either anxiety and depression versus those without. METHODS Conducted from July to September 2024, data came from a larger cross-sectional study of 1005 monoracial Black young adults (N = 1005; Mage = 24.07, SDage = 3.04, 50.6% women) who completed an online survey. Self-report measures of exposure to online racism, use of digital mental health tools, frequency of engaging in online mental health communication, and anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed. RESULTS Our results showed that more frequent exposure to online racism was associated with a greater likelihood of using digital mental health tools (ORs range 1.72-1.84, p CONCLUSIONS Digital mental health tools, online mental health communication, and exposure to online racism are linked for Black young adults. Complementary digital intervention implementation strategies of supporting mental health while mitigating online racism are needed for this population. Black young adults may use digital mental health tools and mental health communication online when they experience online racism or may experience online racism when they use these tools and engage. Keeping Black young adults well and eliminating online racism are mutually reinforcing priorities for digital interventions.
Holland et al. (Mon,) studied this question.