A Systematic Review of the Use of Blogs and Vlogs as Self-Expressors for People with Serious and Common Mental Illness.

Abstract

The use of blogs and vlogs by people with serious mental illness (SMI) and common mental illness (CMI) has attracted increasing academic interest due to the development of online illness narratives. This systematic review aims to explore the use of blogs and vlogs, identifying their narratives and characteristics, perceived benefits and adverse effects associated os their use. This would allow us to know the influence of this type of media on authors' personal recovery. Following PRISMA guidelines, an exhaustive search of four databases was conducted, using terms such as 'blog', 'vlog' and 'serious mental illness' among the most relevant. The selected articles were empirical studies, written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals from 2014 to 2024 and explored the use of blogs and vlogs by people with SMI and CMI. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Self-expression narratives on these platforms tend to be first-person and address issues such as stigma, barriers to treatment and self-management of symptoms. Key benefits include the creation of support networks, reduction of social isolation and individual empowerment, all of which are intrinsically related to personal recovery. However, risks were also identified, such as the possibility of employment discrimination and emotional vulnerability to negative comments. This review highlights the need for future research that explores cross-cultural experiences and provides a sound basis for the design of interventions that promote the positive use of blogs and vlogs in mental health recovery.