Research that results in positive social change

We already know that ‘good’ research is characterised by rigour, adherence to ethical principles, and an objective, systematic approach to knowledge generation. But what do we mean when we consider research that is good because of its social impact and its beneficial impact on others?

In the first instance, research that attests to having a social impact needs to address societal needs and challenges (Reupert, 2018). This means that research questions need to be formulated that directly contribute to improving the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals and communities. Much research has already identified healthcare disparities, the experiences of marginalised groups, and those societal and organisational structures that create inequalities. Likewise, research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed the significant health care gaps and the health inequalities of certain population groups that have existed for some time (Berger & Reupert, 2020). I would argue that we already know enough about those groups who are most at risk for their mental health; what we need is research that highlights those systems, interventions and structures that help people, families and communities obtain and maintain access to basic social needs and maintain wellbeing. To identify such approaches, research can be conducted that engages with key stakeholders such as those with lived experience and their families, policymakers, practitioners, and advocacy groups. Working with (not ‘on’) end users can foster shared decision-making, co-creation of knowledge, and ensure that research findings are relevant, actionable, and responsive to the needs of those directly impacted (Reupert et al., 2018).

Research with a beneficial social impact often scales up successful interventions or solutions, and assesses their impact on a larger population. Evaluating an intervention during the scaling-up process provides an opportunity to identify necessary adaptations or modifications and where different contexts may require adjustments to the intervention to ensure its suitability and effectiveness (Chambers et al., 2013). This stance results in research that has a broad population reach with long term impacts, especially if trailed solutions can be embedded into routine organisational procedures such as client intake forms (Ward et al., 2017).

The effective translation and dissemination of research can help bridge the gap between research findings and their application to policy and practice and hence have a positive social impact. Journals play a key part in this process and where the peer review process helps maintain high standards and credibility (Reupert, 2021). Journal articles can also help create networks of references and citations, linking related research articles together. The international scope of this journal allows researchers from different countries and regions to access and engage in research, and foster academic dialogue. The video abstracts, that this journal promotes (Reupert, 2017), also helps to communicate research findings to the wider public.

The key remit of this journal is to promote research that supports mental health prevention, promotion and early intervention efforts and thereby, in some small way at least, promote social change that seeks to reduce the incidence of mental illness, promote ways for enhancing wellbeing in individuals, communities and societies, and identify and address mental health concerns in their early stages to promote recovery. The papers in this issue attest to all those elements.

The first paper for this issue showed that the majority of the 74 parents sampled were satisfied and accepting of assistant psychologists being employed in primary mental health care services for their children (Wormald et al., 2023), an especially important paper given the limited number of psychologists in mental health services in Ireland (where this study is set) but elsewhere also. Blake-Holmes et al. (2023) drew data from 20 adults who grew up with a parent with a mental illness to show how the coping strategies developed by children can have long lasting impacts into adulthood, a field of research that others have investigated (e.g., Patrick et al., 2019). Ho et al. (2023) found that resilience fully mediated the link between the risk of smartphone addiction and life satisfaction. This study provides a theoretical basis for interventions, and the need for early intervention, which other studies investigating the impact of media use in families with young children have also highlighted (e.g., Erwin et al., 2020).

Taking a workforce perspective, Ghasemi et al. (2023) conducted a pilot study which provided tentative support for the efficacy of a self-paced, online program that aims to promote teachers’ psychological wellbeing, an important finding given the teacher workforce is understaffed, overwhelmed and stressed (Hine et al., 2022; Reupert et al., 2023). Also investigating the workforce, Yager et al. (2023) found that among health professionals involved in their study, knowledge about body image was low though they recognised opportunities to converse with mothers about body image and mental health. Working with mothers in this way is important given that mothers may model dysfunctional eating behaviours to their children (Stitt & Reupert, 2014). The final paper in this issue comes from Bronson and Washington (2023) who used longitudinal data to assess the outcomes of a model that provided an alternative to inpatient placements, finding that the number of hospitalisations fell during the time of the study.