Mapping the landscape of mental health research through Google Trends: Bibliometric and thematic insights
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Aim: The rise of Internet usage has introduced innovative methods for public health research, particularly using Google Trends to understand mental health issues. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of research utilizing Google Trends for mental health. Methods: We conducted a literature search on Scopus focusing on peer-reviewed articles from January 2010 to May 2024. Bibliometric analysis included descriptive statistics, bibliographic coupling, keyword co-occurrence, and coauthorship networks. Qualitative content analysis identified themes in the study objectives. Results: . Keyword co-occurrence highlighted themes such as "mental health," "COVID-19," "anxiety," and "social media." Author co-citation and coauthorship analyses showed strong closely linked collaborations, with a few central authors leading the research. Coauthor country analysis revealed limited international collaborations, particularly involving the United States and the United Kingdom. Content analysis identified six major themes: economic and social impacts, mental health during public health emergencies, online behavior, specific conditions and treatments, public health policies, and psychological and social impacts. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of Google Trends in mental health research, revealing key trends and thematic focuses. The findings contribute to understanding the current research landscape and offer a foundation for future studies leveraging digital tools for mental health insights.
DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.70101
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4409852694