Encouraging help-seeking and engagement in a mental health app: What young people want

Garrido, S; Oliver, E; Chmiel, A; Doran, B; Boydell, K

Encouraging help-seeking and engagement in a mental health app: What young people want

Garrido, S Oliver, E Chmiel, A Doran, B

Boydell, K

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Publisher:: Frontiers Media SA
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Digital Health, 2022, 4, pp. 1045765
Issue Date:: 2022-12-21

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Garrido, S
dc.contributor.author	Oliver, E
dc.contributor.author	Chmiel, A
dc.contributor.author	Doran, B https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3951-4546
dc.contributor.author	Boydell, K
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-16T00:41:03Z
dc.date.available	2023-02-16T00:41:03Z
dc.date.issued	2022-12-21
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Digital Health, 2022, 4, pp. 1045765
dc.identifier.issn	2673-253X
dc.identifier.issn	2673-253X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166179
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Although many young people evince a preference for digital mental health support over face to face, engagement with smartphone apps for mental health remains relatively low, particularly in young people not accessing professional support services. While some of this can be attributed to stigma or embarrassment, there is also a need for developers and researchers to investigate features which promote long-term usage. <jats:italic>MoodyTune</jats:italic>s is a music-based smartphone app that has been co-designed with young people to help them develop effective self-management strategies for mood through music listening. Four focus groups with young people (<jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 24, aged 13–25) were conducted to workshop how <jats:italic>MoodyTunes</jats:italic> could promote help-seeking behaviours and long-term engagement with the app. Online discussions following a broad topic guide were held in groups of 4–7 in which participants explored topics including the use of social features, promoting help-seeking behaviour, gamification and mood tracking. Participants also viewed visual materials and offered ideas about visual design both verbally and on paper. A general inductive approach was taken to analysis of qualitative data. Three primary themes were identified in the data: privacy; user empowerment; and engagement vs. achievement. Participants voiced a strong desire to remain anonymous and to feel empowered to make their own decisions about accessing professional help. Sensitive use of language was noted as critical, with some participants noting that the use of more directive language could have a negative impact on their mental health and that motivational features should focus on engagement with the primary aim of the app rather than rewarding achievement. Findings highlight the benefits of a co-design approach and provide key insights into how mental health apps may be able to improve long-term user engagement with young people.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Frontiers Media SA
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Digital Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/fdgth.2022.1045765
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Encouraging help-seeking and engagement in a mental health app: What young people want
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost/TD School
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-02-16T00:41:02Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	4

Abstract:

Although many young people evince a preference for digital mental health support over face to face, engagement with smartphone apps for mental health remains relatively low, particularly in young people not accessing professional support services. While some of this can be attributed to stigma or embarrassment, there is also a need for developers and researchers to investigate features which promote long-term usage. MoodyTunes is a music-based smartphone app that has been co-designed with young people to help them develop effective self-management strategies for mood through music listening. Four focus groups with young people (N = 24, aged 13–25) were conducted to workshop how MoodyTunes could promote help-seeking behaviours and long-term engagement with the app. Online discussions following a broad topic guide were held in groups of 4–7 in which participants explored topics including the use of social features, promoting help-seeking behaviour, gamification and mood tracking. Participants also viewed visual materials and offered ideas about visual design both verbally and on paper. A general inductive approach was taken to analysis of qualitative data. Three primary themes were identified in the data: privacy; user empowerment; and engagement vs. achievement. Participants voiced a strong desire to remain anonymous and to feel empowered to make their own decisions about accessing professional help. Sensitive use of language was noted as critical, with some participants noting that the use of more directive language could have a negative impact on their mental health and that motivational features should focus on engagement with the primary aim of the app rather than rewarding achievement. Findings highlight the benefits of a co-design approach and provide key insights into how mental health apps may be able to improve long-term user engagement with young people.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166179