Interdisciplinary Development of a Transdiagnostic Mobile App to Enhance Children’s Emotion Regulation: Sharing Insights and Lessons Learned (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
Holly Alice Bear ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Interdisciplinary Framework

BACKGROUND Digital interventions, including mobile apps represent promising means to provide effective mental health support to young people. Despite the increased availability of mental health apps, there is a significant gap for this age group, especially for younger children. Research investigating the effectiveness and development process of child mental health apps is limited, and the field faces persistent issues in relation to low user up-take and engagement, which is assumed to be a result of lacking interdisciplinary approaches. OBJECTIVE We present the development and design process of a new mental health app for children that targets their emotion regulation abilities. We describe the creation of a new interdisciplinary development framework, to guide the design process, and explain how each activity informed different app features. METHODS The first two stages of the framework employed a variety of methods, including: 1) classroom observations, 2) public-engagement events with the target group (N=21), 3) synthesis of the existing evidence as part of a meta-analysis, 4) a series of co-design and participatory workshops with young users (N=33), clinicians (N=7), researchers (N=12), app developers (N=1) , designers (N=2), and lastly 5) testing of the first high-tech prototype (N=15). RESULTS For the interdisciplinary framework we drew on methods derived from the medical research council framework for complex interventions, the patient-clinician-framework and Druin’s cooperative inquiry. The classroom observations, public-engagement events, and synthesis of the existing evidence informed the first key pillars of the app and wireframes. Subsequently, a series of workshops shaped and reshaped the content and app features, including games, psychoeducational films, and practice modules. Based on the prototype testing sessions we made further adjustments to improve the app. CONCLUSIONS Although mobile apps could be highly suitable to support young people’s mental health on a wider scale, there is little guidance on how these interventions could be designed. The involvement of the different methods and especially the young users was very valuable. We hope that the interdisciplinary framework and multiple methods that we applied will be helpful to others who are also aiming to develop suitable apps for young people.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary Development of a Transdiagnostic Mobile App to Enhance Children’s Emotion Regulation: Sharing Insights and Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Moltrecht ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
Holly Alice Bear ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Interdisciplinary Framework

Background: Digital interventions, including mobile apps represent promising means to provide effective mental health support to young people. Despite the increased availability of mental health apps, there is a significant gap for this age group, especially for younger children. Research investigating the effectiveness and development process of child mental health apps is limited, and the field faces persistent issues in relation to low user up-take and engagement, which is assumed to be a result of lackinginterdisciplinary approaches.Objective: We present the development and design process of a new mental health app for children that targets their emotion regulation abilities. We describe the creation of a new interdisciplinary development framework, to guide the design process, and explain how each activity informed different app features.Methods: The first two stages of the framework employed a variety of methods, including: 1) classroom observations, 2)public-engagement events with the target group (N=21), 3) synthesis of the existing evidence as part of a meta-analysis, 4) a series of co-design and participatory workshops with young users (N=33), clinicians (N=7), researchers (N=12), app developers (N=1) , designers (N=2), and lastly 5) testing of the first high-tech prototype (N=15).Results: For the interdisciplinary framework we drew on methods derived from the medical research council framework for complex interventions, the patient-clinician-framework and Druin’s cooperative inquiry. The classroom observations, public-engagement events, and synthesis of the existing evidence informed the first key pillars of the app and wireframes. Subsequently, a series of workshops shaped and reshaped the content and app features, including games, psychoeducational films, and practice modules. Based on the prototype testing sessions we made further adjustments to improve the app.Conclusions: Although mobile apps could be highly suitable to support young people’s mental health on a wider scale, there is little guidance on how these interventions could be designed. The involvement of the different methods and especially the young users was very valuable. We hope that the interdisciplinary framework and multiple methods that we applied will be helpful to others who are also aiming to develop suitable apps for young people.

The effects of mobile apps on stress, anxiety, and depression: overview of systematic reviews

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Khademian ◽  
Azam Aslani ◽  
Peivand Bastani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Overview Of Systematic Reviews

Abstract Objectives Despite a large number of mobile apps in the field of mental health, it is difficult to find a useful and reliable one, mainly due to the fact that the effectiveness of many apps has not been assessed scientifically. The present study aimed to assess the effects of mental health apps on managing the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for the papers published from 2000 to 2019. Studies were included if they reviewed articles or mobile apps for their effectiveness in stress, anxiety, and depression. The reviews that had considered mobile apps or web-based mobile applications as an intervention or part of intervention were included, as well. Results A total of 4,999 peer-reviewed articles were identified, out of which nine systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Seven systematic reviews measured depression outcomes, three measured stress, and five systematic reviews measured anxiety symptoms. The applications that used behavior change strategies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Behavioral Activation, reported significant effects on depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion It seems that mental health apps can be promising media for reducing depressive symptoms. This field is an emerging area of mobile health, and further research should be done in future in order to reach conclusive evidence.

scholarly journals The Session Wants and Need Outcome Measure: The Development of a Brief Outcome Measure for Single-Sessions of Web-Based Support

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago de Ossorno Garcia ◽  
Louisa Salhi ◽  
Aaron Sefi ◽  
Terry Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Brief Interventions ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Mental Health Settings

Single-session, brief interventions in therapy for young people make up a large proportion of service provision, including in digital mental health settings. Current nomothetic mental health measures are not specifically designed to capture the benefit or ‘change’ directly related to these brief interventions. As a consequence, we set out to design an outcome measure to concretely demonstrate the value of single-session interventions. The Session Wants and Needs Outcome Measure (SWAN-OM) aims to capture in-session goals and focuses on being user-centric, elements critical to the success of single-session and brief interventions which typically are asset-based and solution-focused. We describe the 4-stage process that was followed to develop this measure: (I) classical item generation and development, (II) content and (III) face validity pilot testing, and (IV) a user-experience approach with young people using framework analysis. This final stage was critical to ensure the integration of this outcome tool into a web-based digital therapy setting, a context which adds another layer of design complexity to item and measure development. This iterative methodology was used to overcome the challenges encountered and to place the needs of the young people and service practitioners at the centre of the design process, thus ensuring measure usability. To end, we highlight the main lessons learnt from engaging in this design process. Specifically, the needs of a measure for single-session interventions are considered, before outlining the learning associated with integrating the measure into a digital mental health platform. Both of these areas are emerging fields and, as such, this study contributes to our understanding of how an idiographic patient outcome theory driven measure can be created for use in a web-based digital mental health therapy service.

Profiles of Emotion Regulation in Young People Accessing Youth Mental Health and Drug Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 769-780
Author(s):  
Elise Sloan ◽  
Kate Hall ◽  
George J. Youssef ◽  
Richard Moulding ◽  
Helen Mildred ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Youth Mental Health

‘Apps are cool but generally pretty pointless’: LGBTIQ+ young people’s mental health app ambivalence

2019 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Byron
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
Potential Development ◽  
Health Agenda

This article considers the potential development of mental health apps for LGBTIQ+ young people. It reports on data from an Australian study of LGBTIQ+ young people’s mental health help-seeking experiences. Participants (aged 16–25 years) highlighted the potential value of mental health apps, yet also questioned the need for another digital intervention. Addressing stigma around mental health was seen as a greater priority for many, as was addressing the inadequate mental health information and support available to LGBTIQ+ young people through schools and mainstream health services. Participants noted that a mental health app must not only be useful, reliable and accessible but also actively sought, which was sometimes unlikely. This article questions a contemporary public health agenda for developing digital solutions to complex social problems. Furthermore, it asks whether health inequities and social stigma can be addressed by apps that typically prioritise the practice of individualised self-care.

scholarly journals Psychology and Surveillance Capitalism: The Risk of Pushing Mental Health Apps During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 611-625
Author(s):  
Lisa Cosgrove ◽  
Justin M. Karter ◽  
Zenobia Morrill ◽  
Mallaigh McGinley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Humanistic Psychology ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Digital Phenotyping ◽  
The Rich

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth technologies and mental health apps have been promoted to manage distress in the public and to augment existing mental health services. From a humanistic perspective, the promotion and use of mobile apps raises ethical concerns regarding the autonomy of the person using the app. However, there are other dangers that arise when technological fixes are embraced at a time of crisis. Naomi Klein and Shoshanna Zuboff have recently warned about disaster and surveillance capitalism—using crises to pass legislation that will benefit the rich and deepen inequality, and using anonymized behavioral data for commercial purposes. This analysis reveals that mental health apps may take individuals at their most vulnerable and make them part of a hidden supply chain for the marketplace. We provide a case study of a mental health app that uses digital phenotyping to predict negative mood states. We describe the logic of digital phenotyping and assess the efficacy data on which claims of its validity are based. Drawing from the frameworks of disaster and surveillance capitalism, we also use a humanistic psychology lens to identify the ethical entanglements and the unintended consequences of promoting and using this technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mobile Mental Health Apps in China: Systematic App Store Search (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifang Yin ◽  
Klaas J Wardenaar ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Wenjin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Stress Relieving ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

BACKGROUND Smartphones have become ubiquitous in China, offering a promising way to deliver mental health interventions; however, little is known about the current use and characteristics of smartphone apps for mental health. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mobile mental health apps available in China as of December 2018. METHODS A systematic search was conducted to identify and evaluate the most downloaded apps from iOS and Android platforms. Apps were categorized according to their main purpose and downloaded to evaluate their content. Each app’s affiliation, cost, target users, information security, and evidence-based nature were evaluated. RESULTS Of the 172 unique apps that were identified, there were 37 apps (21.5%) for psychological counseling, 50 apps (29.1%) for assessment, 12 apps (7.0%) to relieve stress, 24 apps (14.0%) for psychoeducation, and 49 (28.4%) multipurpose apps (ie, a combination of counseling and assessment). Most apps were developed for adults in the general population (166/172, 96.5%), rather than for psychiatric patients. App-based counseling was mostly provided by psychologists, and of the assessed apps, only 40% (70/172) used evidence-based scales to assess mental health problems such as anxiety or depressed mood. Guided meditation was used as the main technique in stress-relieving apps. CONCLUSIONS Many apps contained useful and evidence-based elements, such as good quality information, validated measurements, and useful meditation methods; however, for mobile apps to contribute significantly to mental health care in China, considerable challenges remain, including the need for more patient-focused apps that can actually take on the role of a health care provider. In addition, efficacy studies are needed.

scholarly journals Mental Health Apps in Psychiatric Treatment: A Patient Perspective on Real World Technology Usage (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Chiauzzi ◽  
Amy Newell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Patient Perspective ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

UNSTRUCTURED For many people who use mobile apps, the primary motivations are entertainment, news, gaming, social connections, or productivity. For those experiencing health problems, particularly those with chronic conditions such as psychiatric disorders, the stakes are much higher. The digital tools that they select may be the difference between improvement and decompensation or even life and death. Although there has been a wide expansion of mental health apps with promise as well as hype, the current means of researching, evaluating, and deploying effective tools have been problematic. As a means of gaining a perspective that moves beyond usability testing, surveys, and app ratings, the primary objective of this patient perspective is to question the killer app and condition-specific mentality of current mental health app development. We do this by reviewing the current mobile mental health app literature, identifying ways in which psychiatric patients use apps in their lives, and then exploring how these issues are experienced by a software engineer who has struggled with her bipolar disorder for many years. Her lived experience combined with a technology perspective offers potential avenues for using technology productively in psychiatric treatment. We believe that this responds to JMIR Publications’ call for patient perspective papers and provides encouragement for patients to share their views on mental health and technology.

Mobile Apps that Promote Emotion Regulation, Positive Mental Health and Well-being in the General Population: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Eisenstadt ◽  
Shaun Liverpool ◽  
Elisa Infanti ◽  
Roberta Maria Ciuvat ◽  
Courtney Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Among the general public there appears to be a growing need and interest in receiving digital mental health and well-being support. In response to this, a number of mental health apps (MHapps) are becoming available for monitoring, managing and promoting positive mental health and well-being. Thus far, the evidence supports positive outcomes when users engage with digital interventions. However, there is high variability in the theoretical base informing MHapps and the features incorporated. Such differences can have implications for the efficacy of the apps and the level of engagement among specific target population groups. Moreover, such heterogeneity may influence the extent to which the data from various MHapps can be pooled to assess the strength of the evidence. OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically review the available research on MHapps that promote emotion regulation, positive mental health, and well-being in the general population aged 18-45. More specifically, the review aimed at providing a systematic description of the theoretical background and features of MHapps while evaluating any potential effectiveness. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of key databases; MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), PsycINFO (via Ovid), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted until January 2021. Studies were included if they described standalone mental health and well-being apps for adults without a formal mental health diagnosis. All studies were quality assessed against the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. In addition, the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB-2) was used to assess randomized control trials (RCTs). Data were extracted using a modified extraction form the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews. A narrative synthesis and meta-analysis was then undertaken to address the review aims. RESULTS In total, 3156 abstracts were identified. Of these, 52 publications describing 48 MHapps met the inclusion criteria. Together the studies evaluated interventions across 15 countries. Thirty-nine RCTs were identified that suggested there is some support for the role of individual MHapps in improving and promoting mental health and well-being. Regarding pooled effect, MHapps, when compared to controls, showed a small effect for reducing mental health symptoms (k = 19, g = -0.24, 95% CI [-0.34, -0.14], p < .05) and improving well-being (k = 13, g = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05, 0.29], p < .05), and a medium effect for emotion regulation (k = 6, g = 0.49, 95% CI [0.23,0.74], p<.05). There is also a wide knowledge base of creative and innovative ways to engage users in techniques, such as mood monitoring and guided exercises. Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural approaches appear to be the most common among MHapp developers. Studies were generally assessed to contribute unclear or high risk of bias, or be of medium to low methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS The emerging evidence for MHapps that promote positive mental health and well-being continue to show some evidence of promise. Despite a wide range of MHapps, there are not many that specifically promote emotion regulation. However, our findings may position emotion regulation as an important mechanism for inclusion in future positive mental health and well-being MHapps. A fair proportion of the included studies were pilot or feasibility trials (k = 17, 33%), and full scale RCTs reported high attrition rates and non-diverse samples. Given the number and pace at which MHapps are being released, further robust research is warranted to inform the development and testing of evidence-based programs. CLINICALTRIAL Mia Eisenstadt, Elisa Infanti, Shaun Liverpool. Characteristics and effectiveness of mobile apps that promote emotion regulation and well-being in the general population: a systematic review protocol. PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020213051 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020213051

Multipurpose Mobile Apps for Mental Health in Chinese App Stores: Content Analysis and Quality Evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqian Wu ◽  
Lin Xu ◽  
PengFei Li ◽  
TingTing Tang ◽  
Cheng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Awareness ◽  
Privacy Measures

BACKGROUND Mental disorders impose varying degrees of burden on patients and their surroundings. However, people are reluctant to take the initiative to seek mental health services because of the uneven distribution of resources and stigmatization. Thus, mobile apps are considered an effective way to eliminate these obstacles and improve mental health awareness. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the quality, function, privacy measures, and evidence-based and professional background of multipurpose mental health apps in Chinese commercial app stores. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on iOS and Android platforms in China to identify multipurpose mental health apps. Two independent reviewers evaluated the identified mobile apps using Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Each app was downloaded, and the general characteristics, privacy and security measures, development background, and functional characteristics of each app were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 40 apps were analyzed, of which 35 apps (87.5%) were developed by companies and 33 apps (82.5%) provided links to access the privacy policy; 52.5% did not mention the involvement of relevant professionals or the guidance of scientific basis in the app development process. The main built-in functions of these apps include psychological education (38/40, 95%), self-assessment (34/40, 85%), and counseling (33/40, 83%). The overall quality average MARS score of the 40 apps was 3.53 (standard deviation 0.39), and the total score was between 2.96 and 4.30. The total score of MARS was significantly positively correlated with the scores of each subscale (r = 0.62–0.88; P <.001). However, the user score of the app market was not significantly correlated with the total score of MARS (r = 0.23; P =.19). CONCLUSIONS The quality of multipurpose mental health apps in China’s main app market is generally good and provides various functional combinations. However, health professionals are less involved in the development of these apps, and the privacy protection policy of the apps also needs to be described in more detail. This study provides a reference for the development of multipurpose mental health apps.

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