Strategies of Health-Focused Narratives to Develop Coping and Growth for Young People: A Thematic Analysis of the Literature

While there are many approaches in the use of narratives for children and young people as symbolic forms of real-life education, this article specifically investigates the use of narratives as a public health communication and intervention strategy for young people. This strategy foregrounds imaginative stories based on health education messaging that are told from patient perspectives. Through a thematic analysis of 57 research articles, the article explores the themes and discursive strategies of narrative-based health communication, including digital storytelling, in supporting young people to develop coping and resilience skills. The article identifies five interrelated themes, revealing that narratives are not only effective tools for conveying health information but also foster psychosocial support, patient empowerment, and social connection. Such narratives serve as tools for facilitating change and informing decision-making across various stages of health engagement, including prevention, promotion, and management of chronic conditions. These narratives are socially transformative: in assisting young people; they also educate clinical professionals and organizations and thereby inform public health practice at large. In this way the article both consolidates and clarifies the field of literature concerned with the use of story as a health communication strategy for children and young people.