‘It is just a prediction; it’s, like, not fact’: youth attitudes towards risk prediction tools and personalised preventive interventions for depression and anxiety

Higson-Sweeney, N; Peycheva, A; Breedvelt, JJF

Journal article

‘It is just a prediction; it’s, like, not fact’: youth attitudes towards risk prediction tools and personalised preventive interventions for depression and anxiety

Abstract:: Background: Risk prediction tools may help identify youth who are at risk of developing depression or anxiety and allow personalised preventive interventions to be delivered. However, with concerns for implementation, it is important to directly engage with youth to understand their attitudes. Objective: To qualitatively explore UK-based youth attitudes towards risk prediction tools and personalised preventive interventions for depression and anxiety. Methods: Online semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of youth aged 16–25 years (n=25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Analysis generated four themes: (1) Helpful or harmful: risk prediction as a ‘double-ended sword’ explores the potential benefits and consequences of risk scores; (2) ‘Taken with a grain of salt’: are risk prediction models the way forward? focuses on participants’ scepticism towards risk prediction tools, including ethics and privacy; (3) ‘It really depends on the person’: respecting the individual in prevention emphasises the importance of personal choice and individual differences and (4) ‘You still need like a person in the process’: the importance of human involvement encapsulates participants’ belief regarding human involvement in development and implementation. Conclusions: While youth appear open to risk prediction tools and personalised preventive interventions, they highlighted concerns that must be addressed before implementation, including ethics, accuracy, privacy and feasibility. Clinical implications: Going forward, researchers should prioritise stakeholder involvement, using active collaboration to identify ways in which these concerns can be addressed, which may increase acceptability and uptake. Human contact, alongside agency and choice, are further factors to consider.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Higson-Sweeney, N., Peycheva, A., & Breedvelt, J. J. F. (2026). ‘It is just a prediction; it’s, like, not fact’: youth attitudes towards risk prediction tools and personalised preventive interventions for depression and anxiety. BMJ Mental Health, 29(1), e302327.

MLA Style

Higson-Sweeney, N, et al. “‘It Is Just a Prediction; It’s, like, Not Fact’: Youth Attitudes towards Risk Prediction Tools and Personalised Preventive Interventions for Depression and Anxiety.” BMJ Mental Health, vol. 29, no. 1, 2026, p. e302327.

Chicago Style

Higson-Sweeney, N, A Peycheva, and JJF Breedvelt. 2026. “‘It Is Just a Prediction; It’s, like, Not Fact’: Youth Attitudes towards Risk Prediction Tools and Personalised Preventive Interventions for Depression and Anxiety.” BMJ Mental Health 29 (1): e302327.
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