scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Support Self-Monitoring of Emotional Well-Being: A Mental Health Digital Innovation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Rickard ◽  
Hussain-Abdulah Arjmand ◽  
David Bakker ◽  
Elizabeth Seabrook
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mobile Phone Technology ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Health And Well Being

BackgroundEmotional well-being is a primary component of mental health and well-being. Monitoring changes in emotional state daily over extended periods is, however, difficult using traditional methodologies. Providing mental health support is also challenging when approximately only 1 in 2 people with mental health issues seek professional help. Mobile phone technology offers a sustainable means of enhancing self-management of emotional well-being.ObjectiveThis paper aims to describe the development of a mobile phone tool designed to monitor emotional changes in a natural everyday context and in real time.MethodsThis evidence-informed mobile phone app monitors emotional mental health and well-being, and it provides links to mental health organization websites and resources. The app obtains data via self-report psychological questionnaires, experience sampling methodology (ESM), and automated behavioral data collection.ResultsFeedback from 11 individuals (age range 16-52 years; 4 males, 7 females), who tested the app over 30 days, confirmed via survey and focus group methods that the app was functional and usable.ConclusionsRecommendations for future researchers and developers of mental health apps to be used for research are also presented. The methodology described in this paper offers a powerful tool for a range of potential mental health research studies and provides a valuable standard against which development of future mental health apps should be considered.

scholarly journals Black women and COVID-19: The need for targeted mental health research and practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 247-255
Author(s):  
Quenette L Walton ◽  
Rosalyn Denise Campbell ◽  
Joan M Blakey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Women’S Mental Health ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Women's Mental Health ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Health And Well Being

COVID-19 has significantly impacted a substantial number of Black Americans. Black women, in particular, are facing challenges financially, physically, and mentally during this unprecedented time. Between serving as frontline workers, being concerned about contracting the virus, contributing to their families financially, and worrying about their loved ones’ health, Black women are experiencing great strain on their mental health and well-being. These stressors illustrate the need for social work researchers and practitioners to address Black women’s mental health. This paper presents our reflections, experiences, and response to COVID-19 as Black women and scholars. Guided by our reflections and personal experiences, we put forth suggestions and reflexive thoughts for social work researchers and practitioners to prioritize Black women’s mental health during and after these unprecedented times.

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
Kristine Klussman ◽  
Julia Langer ◽  
Austin Lee Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract. Background: Most people are comfortable asserting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on mental health and well-being. However, little research has examined how different types of physical activity affect these outcomes. Aims: The current study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of the differential relationships between different types of physical activity and various aspects of health and well-being. In addition, we sought to understand the role of self-connection in these relationships. Method: One hundred forty-three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure their current weekly activity as well as their current health and well-being. Specifically, we examined three intensities of activity (walking, moderate, and vigorous) and three types of activity (team-based, community-based, and not team nor community-based) on self-reported health, anxiety, depression, affect, flourishing, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and meaning in life. In addition, we examined self-connection as a possible moderator of these relationships. Results: Results suggested that physical activity was inconsistently related to health and well-being, and activity intensity and type were important to understanding these relationships. In contrast, self-connection reliably related to health and well-being and moderated the relationship between activity type and the presence of meaning. Limitations: The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study limits its contribution. In addition, we only examined a subset of all physical activities that people engage in. Conclusion: In all, results suggest that the relationships between physical activity, mental health, and well-being are tenuous, at best. Future research needs to examine these relationships further and continue to examine self-connection to determine how to best increase health and well-being through physical activity.

scholarly journals COVID-19, mental health and psychological first aid

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Minihan ◽  
B. Gavin ◽  
B. D. Kelly ◽  
F. McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Aid ◽  
World Health ◽  
Psychological First Aid ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Health And Well Being

Crises such as the global pandemic of COVID-19 (coronavirus) elicit a range of responses from individuals and societies adversely affecting physical and emotional well-being. This article provides an overview of factors elicited in response to COVID-19 and their impact on immunity, physical health, mental health and well-being. Certain groups, such as individuals with mental illness, are especially vulnerable, so it is important to maximise the supports available to this population and their families during the pandemic. More broadly, the World Health Organization recommends ‘Psychological First Aid’ as a useful technique that can help many people in a time of crisis.

scholarly journals The nature buffer: the missing link in climate change and mental health research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naseem Dillman-Hasso
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Benefits ◽  
C 32 ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

AbstractThe connections between climate change and mental health are well known (Berry et al., Int J Publ Health 55(2):123–132, 2010; Clayton and Manning 2018; Kim et al., J Environ Sci Health C 32(3):299–318, 2014). Research also points to the positive impacts of nature on mental health, well-being, and attention (Capaldi et al., Int J Wellbeing 5(4):1–16, 2015; Kaplan and Kaplan 1989; Tillmann et al., J Epidemiol Community Health 72(10):958–966, 2018). However, no empirical research has examined how degradation of nature as a result of climate change can impact the mental health benefits that nature provides. This paper first reviews the existing research on the negative mental health consequences of climate change and the benefits of nature exposure for stress, mental health, and well-being. The connection between these two lines of research is examined in order to fully understand the impacts of climate change on mental health. Suggestions for future research are included.

scholarly journals Use of Mental Health Apps by Breast Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers in the United States: Protocol for a Pilot Pre-Post Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip I Chow ◽  
Shayna L Showalter ◽  
Matthew S Gerber ◽  
Erin Kennedy ◽  
David R Brenin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Apps

BACKGROUND Over one-third of cancer patients experience clinically significant mental distress, and distress in caregivers can exceed that of the cancer patients for whom they care. There is an urgent need to identify scalable and cost-efficient ways of delivering mental health interventions to cancer patients and their loved ones. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the protocol to pilot a mobile app–based mental health intervention in breast cancer patients and caregivers. METHODS The IntelliCare mental health apps are grounded in evidence-based research in psychology. They have not been examined in cancer populations. This pilot study will adopt a within-subject, pre-post study design to inform a potential phase III randomized controlled trial. A target sample of 50 individuals (with roughly equal numbers of patients and caregivers) at least 18 years of age and fluent in English will be recruited at a US National Cancer Institute designated clinical cancer center. Consent will be obtained in writing and a mobile phone will be provided if needed. Self-report surveys assessing mental health outcomes will be administered at a baseline session and after a 7-week intervention. Before using the apps, participants will receive a 30-min coaching call to explain their purpose and function. A 10-min coaching call 3 weeks later will check on user progress and address questions or barriers to use. Self-report and semistructured interviews with participants at the end of the study period will focus on user experience and suggestions for improving the apps and coaching in future studies. RESULTS This study is ongoing, and recruitment will be completed by the end of 2018. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study will inform how scalable mobile phone-delivered programs can be used to support breast cancer patients and their loved ones. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03488745; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03488745 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/11452

scholarly journals Co-Designing a Mobile Application to Improve Mental Health and Well-being: Focus Group Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felwah Alqahtani ◽  
Andrea Winn ◽  
Rita Orji
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
End Users ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Relaxation Exercises ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Recent advances in mobile technology have created opportunities to develop mobile applications (apps) to aid and assist people in achieving various health and wellness goals. Mental health apps hold significant potential to assist people suffering from various mental health issues at any time they may need it, considering the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones. However, there is a need for research exploring and understanding end-users’ perceptions, needs, and concerns with respect to such technologies. OBJECTIVE The goal of this paper is to explore the opinions, perceptions, preferences, and experiences of people who have experienced some forms of mental health issues based on self-diagnosis to inform the design of a next-generation mental health app that would be significantly more engaging and effective than currently available apps at improving mental health and well-being. METHODS We conducted six focus-group sessions with people who have experienced mental health issues based on self-diagnosis (Average age= 26.7, N = 32, 50% male, 50% female). We asked participants about their experiences with mental health issues and their viewpoints regarding two existing mental health apps (Happify app and the Self-Help Anxiety Management app). Finally, participants engaged in a design session where they each sketched a design for their ideal mental health and well-being mobile app. RESULTS Our findings revealed that participants used some strategies to deal with their mental health issues: 1) doing something to distract themselves from their current negative mood, 2) using relaxation exercises and methods to relieve symptoms, 3) interacting with others to share their issues, 4) looking for an external source to solve their problem, and 5) motivating themselves by repeating motivational sentences to support themselves or by following inspirational people. Moreover, regarding the design of mental health apps, participants identified that 1) general design characteristics, 2) personalization of the app, including 3) tracking and feedback, 4) live support, and 5) social community, and providing 6) motivational content and 7) relaxation exercises are the most important features users want in a mental health app. In contrast, including 8) games, 9) relaxation audio, 10) the Google map function, 11) personal assistance to provide suggestions, 12) goal setting, and 13) privacy preserving were surprisingly the least requested features. CONCLUSIONS Understanding end-users’ needs and concerns about mental health apps will inform the future design of mental health apps that are useful and used by many people. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Calibrating well-being, quality of life and common mental disorder items: Psychometric epidemiology in public mental health research

2016 ◽  
Vol 209 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan R. Böhnke ◽  
Tim J. Croudace
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
General Health ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Health And Well Being

BackgroundThe assessment of ‘general health and well-being’ in public mental health research stimulates debates around relative merits of questionnaire instruments and their items. Little evidence regarding alignment or differential advantages of instruments or items has appeared to date.AimsPopulation-based psychometric study of items employed in public mental health narratives.MethodMultidimensional item response theory was applied to General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and EQ-5D items (Health Survey for England, 2010–2012; n = 19 290).ResultsA bifactor model provided the best account of the data and showed that the GHQ-12 and WEMWBS items assess mainly the same construct. Only one item of the EQ-5D showed relevant overlap with this dimension (anxiety/depression). Findings were corroborated by comparisons with alternative models and cross-validation analyses.ConclusionsThe consequences of this lack of differentiation (GHQ-12 v. WEMWBS) for mental health and well-being narratives deserves discussion to enrich debates on priorities in public mental health and its assessment.

The Minds Behind the Technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 481-492
Author(s):  
Jessica Carson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Entrepreneurial Culture ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health And Well Being

Over the past few years, there has been a surge of interest in entrepreneur mental health and well-being. Research has shown 72% of entrepreneurs self-report a lifetime history of mental health concerns (depression, substance abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and bipolar), and countless others incur varying degrees of emotional, physical, and spiritual distress. While many have been quick to declare a mental health “crisis” or “epidemic” among entrepreneurs, the reality may not be so simple. Entrepreneurs with mental health challenges may in fact have a competitive advantage—they may self-select into entrepreneurial work as a result of the adaptive qualities conferred onto them by their diagnosis. This article explores the myriad reasons for these high rates (from self-selection to diathesis–stress), including the hypermasculinized nature of entrepreneurial culture, the high-stress nature of entrepreneurial work, and the hidden superpowers embedded in the genetics of entrepreneurs. To conclude, the ways in which the entire ecosystem can become healthier through self-understanding and self-care are discussed.

Supporting LGBT Lives? Complicating the suicide consensus in LGBT mental health research

Sexualities ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 65-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Bryan ◽  
Paula Mayock
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Sexuality And Gender ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Lgbt People ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Health And Well Being

This article locates itself within an emergent, counter-discursive body of scholarship that is critical of universalizing depictions portraying queer-identified or LGBT youth as vulnerable and ‘at-risk’ of a range of negative mental health outcomes, including self-harm and suicidality. Drawing on key findings from a large-scale, mixed-methods study exploring the mental health and well-being of LGBT people, we seek to contribute to the development of a more expansive understanding of LGBT lives by demonstrating the diverse ways people engage with their sexuality and gender identity and illuminating the complex meanings that those LGBT people who have experienced psychological and suicidal distress ascribe to their feelings, thoughts and actions.

scholarly journals Beyond clicks and downloads: a call for a more comprehensive approach to measuring mobile-health app engagement

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. O'Brien ◽  
Emma Morton ◽  
Andrea Kampen ◽  
Steven J. Barnes ◽  
Erin E. Michalak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Online Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Manage Mental ◽  
Manage Mental Health

Downloading a mobile health (m-health) app on your smartphone does not mean you will ever use it. Telling another person about an app does not mean you like it. Using an online intervention does not mean it has had an impact on your well-being. Yet we consistently rely on downloads, clicks, ‘likes’ and other usage and popularity metrics to measure m-health app engagement. Doing so misses the complexity of how people perceive and use m-health apps in everyday life to manage mental health conditions. This article questions commonly used behavioural metrics of engagement in mental health research and care, and proposes a more comprehensive approach to measuring in-app engagement.

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