Rural Health Scholarly Concentration works

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https://hdl.handle.net/1805/37690

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    The Psychosocial Ramifications of Dermatologic Social Media Content on Rural Adolescents: An Examination of Self-Perception and Mental Health Concerns
    (Springer Nature, 2025-09-13) Bell, Katheryn; Zayed MD, MPH, Elham; Ireland PhD, Ellen; Reyes PhD, Eric
    Background: Adolescence represents a pivotal period in the development of self-image, with skin appearance playing a central role in self-confidence and peer acceptance. In rural communities with limited access to dermatologic care, adolescents frequently turn to social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for skin-related information. These platforms often promote idealized beauty standards and unverified treatments, potentially influencing self-perception and psychological well-being. To investigate these potential impacts, the objective of this survey-based cross-sectional study was to evaluate the psychological impact of dermatology-related social media exposure on self-image, emotional health, and professional aspirations among adolescents in a rural setting. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 206/294 high school students (response rate: 70.1%) in a rural Indiana community. The 19-item Qualtrics survey assessed demographics, social media use, exposure to dermatologic content, and self-reported psychological effects. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (R version 4.4.3). Institutional Review Board approval was obtained (IRB #25625), with written parental consent and student assent required for participation. Results: Frequent exposure to dermatologic social media content was significantly associated with increased dissatisfaction with personal skin appearance (p < 0.01). Among viewers, 35.9% reported increased focus on perceived flaws, 17.5% noted greater self-criticism, 17.5% experienced increased social comparison, and 16.5% reported decreased confidence in appearance. Despite these indicators of self-image disruption, over half of participants 47% (n = 97) denied any personal mental health impact, while simultaneously acknowledging that dermatologic content likely contributes to broader peer anxiety and negative self-image. This divergence suggests a cognitive-affective dissociation in emotional recognition. Still, students tend to recognize the duality of social media, with 50.6% (n = 80) acknowledging benefits and harms of such content on both themselves and their peers. Notably, 37.2% reported positive influences from the content (e.g., increased confidence, embracing unique features), and 30.6% expressed new interest in dermatology or related healthcare careers. Conclusions: Dermatology-related social media content exerts a multifaceted influence on rural adolescents, simultaneously fostering appearance-related distress and positive professional curiosity. The observed dissociation between body image concerns and acknowledgment of mental health effects may reflect under-recognition of distress or social stigma. These findings underscore the need for media literacy interventions, evidence-based dermatologic education tailored to rural youth, and clinician awareness of social media’s nuanced psychological impact in adolescent care.
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    The Influence of Social Media Dermatology Content and Medical Credentials on Skincare Behaviors in Rural Adolescents
    (2025-07-05) Bell, Katheryn; Zayed, Elham; Ireland, Ellen; Reyes, Eric
    Background: With over 90% of adolescents engaging with social media, its role in shaping health-related beliefs and behaviors, particularly in dermatology and skincare, is increasingly significant. This influence may be especially pronounced in rural communities, where limited access to dermatologic care drives youth to online platforms for guidance. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 325 high school students in rural Indiana. Participants were recruited through school-wide electronic outreach. Results: Participants reported high engagement with dermatologic content on social media, with 87% citing it as their primary source of skincare information. 42% reported altering their routines based on online content, often without medical consultation, as only 28% sought professional advice beforehand. Notably, 26% reported purchasing ineffective or irritating products based on influencer recommendations. Students most frequently obtained information from makeup artists (41.3%) and general influencers (51.5%), with licensed MD/DOs cited third (39.3%). Perceived credibility varied based on visible credentials: 56% expressed high trust in influencers with medical degrees, compared to just 18% for non-credentialed creators. Despite this preference, 72% admitted difficulty discerning whether an influencer had formal medical training. Conclusions: These findings highlight a critical gap in digital health literacy among rural adolescents, who often rely on non-credentialed sources for skincare guidance. There is a pressing need for evidence-based interventions that enhance discernment of credible online content and increase access to professional dermatologic education online. Equipping teens with the tools to critically evaluate digital health information could help mitigate misinformation and reduce harmful skincare practices.
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    Addressing disparities in delivery of cancer care for patients with melanoma brain metastases—Not just a simple case of rurality
    (Society for NueroOncology, 2023-09-28) Riggs, Joseph; Ahn, Hyejeong; Longmoore, Hailee; Jardim, Pedro; Kim, Min J.; Kasper, Ekkehard M.; Han, Jiali; Lam, Fred C.