Anxiety and depression are common in young people, and ‘repetitive negative thinking’ (RNT) perpetuates these mental health difficulties. This participatory research project aimed to define and measure RNT by fore-fronting young people as co-researchers.

The research team partnered with mental health organisations Off The Record and the McPin Foundation. Initial meetings with the McPin Young People’s Advisory Group, and Off The Record colleagues aimed to gather feedback on research plans and project strategy, refining the final design of the study so that it was appropriate and accessible to young people aged 16-21.

Young people were invited to collaborate in the project. Two creative enquiry workshop series (one in person and one online) were led by artist-researcher Catherine Lamont-Robinson. These explored everyday experiences of RNT through a variety of art media, including clay, collage and everyday found objects.

To showcase project outputs, the research team went on to secure further internal funding via the ESRC Festival of Social Science. ‘Un/Stuck’, a curated exhibition of the artwork from project workshops, exploring everyday experiences of repetitive negative thinking, was hosted at City Hall. Artworks were presented in the form of large-scale photographic prints and small-scale physical objects. Together, these pieces brought to life young people’s experiences of worry and ruminations, suggested positive strategies for support and wellbeing, and allowed further participatory engagement of visitors to the exhibition, and via the subsequent online catalogue.

"This project afforded us a valuable opportunity to explore creative, interdisciplinary approaches to our work as cognitive psychologists. Through co-production and partnership, we have gained rich insights into young people’s lived experience of repetitive negative thinking – learning that will inform future work."

• Developed strong collaborations with partner organisations (supporting a further successful funding application)
• Co-design of study with project partners and young people
• Used creative methods and worked with an experienced artist-facilitator to lead workshops

• Even with the best laid plans, recruitment can sometimes work out differently to what you expect, so it’s useful to be flexible
• Collaborative relationships are better built through multiple meetings and workshops, rather than as a ‘one-off’.