Potential of using visual imagery to revolutionise measurement of emotional health

Herring, Amy Mary Rose; Craven, Michael P; Mughal, Faraz; Rawsthorne, Mat; Rees, Kathie; Walker, Leanne; Wolpert, Miranda

Abstract

Appropriate measurement of emotional health by all those working with children and young people is an increasing focus for professional practice. Most of the tools used for assessment or self-assessment of emotional health were designed in the mid-20th century using language and technology derived from pen and paper written texts. But, are they fit for purpose in an age of pervasive computing with increasingly rich audio-visual media devices being in the hands of young people? This thought piece explores how the increased use of visual imagery, especially forms that can be viewed or created on digital devices might provide a way forward for more effective measuring of emotional health; including smiley faces, other emojis and other potential forms of visual imagery. The authors bring together perspectives from healthcare, counselling, youth advocacy, academic research, primary care and school based mental health support to explore these issues.

Citation

Herring, A. M. R., Craven, M. P., Mughal, F., Rawsthorne, M., Rees, K., Walker, L., & Wolpert, M. (2020). Potential of using visual imagery to revolutionise measurement of emotional health. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 105(7), 690-693. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-317758

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jan 23, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 5, 2020
• Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Print ISSN: 0003-9888
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-2044
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 105
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 690-693
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-317758
• Keywords: Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3719755
• Publisher URL: https://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2020/01/23/archdischild-2019-317758