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Quality and Reliability of Turkish YouTube Videos on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS Assessment

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the informational quality, reliability, and educational usefulness of Turkish-language YouTube videos about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive content analysis, YouTube was searched on April 10, 2026, using the term “otizm spektrum bozukluğu (autism spectrum disorder).” The first 100 results were screened, and 70 eligible Turkish-language informational videos were included. Video characteristics included uploader type, content focus, popularity indicators, and ASD-specific informational items. Two researchers evaluated each video using the DISCERN instrument, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS), with final ratings assigned by expert consensus. Results: Of the 70 videos, 29 (41.4%) were uploaded by professional sources and 41 (58.6%) by nonprofessional sources. Overall mean (SD) scores for the DISCERN instrument, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and GQS were 34.8 (8.6), 2.0 (0.9), and 2.6 (1.0), respectively, indicating low-to-moderate quality. Videos from professional sources achieved significantly higher scores than those from nonprofessional sources across all 3 assessment tools (P < .001 for all comparisons). Popularity indicators were not associated with quality scores. Misleading information appeared in 13 videos (18.6%), and definitive-treatment, detoxification, or miracle-cure claims appeared in 6 (8.6%). Conclusions: Turkish-language YouTube videos about ASD vary considerably in quality and reliability. Popularity should not be interpreted as an indicator of scientific accuracy, and greater visibility of professionally produced, evidence-based content is needed.
DOI: 10.18621/eurj.1344
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7219825089
FWCI:
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