1
|
Nogueira-Leite D, Marques-Cruz M, Cruz-Correia R. Individuals' attitudes toward digital mental health apps and implications for adoption in Portugal: web-based survey. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:99. [PMID: 38637866 PMCID: PMC11025147 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02488-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature is consensual regarding the academic community exhibiting higher levels of mental disorder prevalence than the general population. The potential of digital mental health apps for improving access to resources to cope with these issues is ample. However, studies have yet to be performed in Portugal on individuals' attitudes and perceptions toward digital mental health applications or their preferences and decision drivers on obtaining mental health care, self-assessment, or treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand the determinants of digital mental health applications use in the Portuguese academic community of Porto, along with potential adoption barriers and enablers. METHODS A cross-sectional, web-based survey was delivered via dynamic email to the University of Porto's academic community. Data collection occurred between September 20 and October 20, 2022. We used structural equation modeling to build three models, replicating a peer-reviewed and published study and producing a newly full mediation model shaped by the collected data. We tested the relationships between use of digital mental health apps and perceived stress, perceived need to seek help for mental health, perceived stigma, past use of mental health services, privacy concerns, and social influence. RESULTS Of the 539 participants, 169 (31.4%) reported having used digital mental health apps. Perceived stress and a latent variable, comprising perceptions of mental health problems and coping strategies, were positively associated with mental health app use, while privacy concerns regarding one's information being accessible to others were negatively associated. Perceived stigma, need to seek help, and close relationships did not have a statistically significant direct effect. CONCLUSIONS These findings can inform product and policy development of new, better-targeted digital mental health app interventions, with implications for researchers and academia, industry, and policymakers. Our study concludes that, to maximize adherence to these apps, they should have low to no financial charges, demonstrate evidence of their helpfulness and focus on the timely delivery of care. We also conclude that to foster digital mental health app use, there is a need to improve mental health literacy, namely regarding self-awareness of one's conditions, acceptable stress levels, and overall behavior towards mental health. TRIAL REGISTRATION RR2-10.2196/41040.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Nogueira-Leite
- Health Data Science Ph.D. Program, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision-Making, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, Porto, 4200-450, Portugal.
- Nova School of Business and Economics Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Marques-Cruz
- Health Data Science Ph.D. Program, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision-Making, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, Porto, 4200-450, Portugal
- Nova School of Business and Economics Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Cruz-Correia
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision-Making, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, Porto, 4200-450, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Holtz BE, Kanthawala S, Martin K, Nelson V, Parrott S. Young adults' adoption and use of mental health apps: efficient, effective, but no replacement for in-person care. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37399569 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2227727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Millions of people use mobile phone or computer-based applications-apps-to maintain their mental health and connect with treatment providers through text- and video-based chat functions. The present study sought to understand young adults' motivations for adopting this technology using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), how they use mental health apps, and the gratifications they receive from using mental health apps. Participants: One hundred-eighteen mental health app users responded to an online survey. Methods: A survey was conducted with students at a Midwestern university. The survey included questions regarding current mental health services, mental health apps used, UTAUT and gratifications survey items. Results: A regression analysis suggested users' performance expectancies, effort expectancies, and facilitating conditions predicted the adoption of mental health apps. Young adults most often use mental health apps for stress relief. While they preferred in-person treatment, users described mental health apps as efficient and helpful. Conclusion: Overall, the results reinforce the sense of optimism for the future of mental health apps, suggesting the potential for apps to supplement-but not necessarily replace-in-person care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bree E Holtz
- College of Communication, Arts, & Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Shaheen Kanthawala
- College of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Kaley Martin
- College of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Victoria Nelson
- College of Communication, Arts, & Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Scott Parrott
- College of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhong XL, Sheng DL, Cheng TZ, Zhang ZW. Effect of exercise prescription teaching on exercise quality and mental health status of college students. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:191-202. [PMID: 37303933 PMCID: PMC10251364 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i5.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The teaching mode of fitness exercise prescriptions for college students in physical education conforms to the scientific principles and rules of fitness, which can adapt to the characteristics of students' individual physiological functions and stimulate their interest in learning.
AIM To analyze the effect of prescribed exercise teaching on the sports quality and mental health of college students.
METHODS The participants of the study were 240 students in our class of 2021, of which 142 were men and 98 were women. The 240 students were randomly divided into an experimental group using the exercise prescription teaching model and a control group using the conventional teaching model. The experimental and control groups were divided into four classes of 30 students each. The teaching activities of the two teaching mode groups were strictly controlled, and the same tests were used before and after the experiment to test the subjects' exercise quality (in-cluding standing long jump, 50 m race, 800 m race, sit-ups, sit-and-reach), physical form (including height, weight, Ketorolai index), cardiopulmonary function (including heart rate, blood pressure, spirometry, 12-min running distance, maximum oxygen intake) and mental health (SCL-90, including somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, paranoia, psychotic symptoms) to understand the effects of the exercise prescription teaching mode on students' physical and mental health status.
RESULTS There were differences in the exercise scores of standing long jump, 50 m, 800 m/1000 m running, sit-ups, and sit-and-reach in the experimental group after the experiment compared with those before the experiment, and the above indices of the experimental group were different from those of the control group after the experiment (P < 0.05). There were differences in body weight and Ketorolai index in the experimental group after the experiment compared to those before the experiment, and the indices of the experimental group were also different from those of the control group after the experiment (P < 0.05). After the experiment, there were differences in spirometry, 12-min running distance, and maximum oxygen intake in the experimental group compared to those before the experiment, and the indices of the experimental group were also different from those of the control group after the experiment (P < 0.05). After the experiment, the indicators of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility in the experimental group were different from those in the pre-experimental group, and the indexes of the experimental group were also different from those of the control group after the experiment (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION Exercise prescription teaching can mobilize college students' consciousness, enthusiasm, and initiative; expand personalities; enhance physical fitness and improve their mental health more than the conventional fitness exercise prescription teaching method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Long Zhong
- Police Command and Tactics Department, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Da-Li Sheng
- Police Command and Tactics Department, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tong-Zhou Cheng
- Police Command and Tactics Department, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhe-Wei Zhang
- Police Command and Tactics Department, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nogueira-Leite D, Cruz-Correia R. Attitudes of Physicians and Individuals Toward Digital Mental Health Tools: Protocol for a Web-Based Survey Research Project. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e41040. [PMID: 36917172 PMCID: PMC10131781 DOI: 10.2196/41040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital transformation is impacting health care delivery. Great market dynamism is bringing opportunities and concerns alike into public discussion. Digital health apps are a vibrant segment where regulation is emerging, with Germany paving the way with its DiGA (Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen, in German, meaning digital health apps) program. Simultaneously, mental ill-health constitutes a global health concern, and prevalence is expected to worsen due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures. Portugal and its National Health System may be a useful testbed for digital health interventions. OBJECTIVE The paper outlines the protocol for a research project on the attitudes of physicians and potential users toward digital mental health apps to improve access to care, patient outcomes, and reduce the burden of disease of mental ill-health. METHODS Web surveys will be conducted to acquire data from the main stakeholders (physicians and the academic community). Data analysis will replicate the statistical analysis performed in the studies from Dahlhausen and Borghouts to derive conclusions regarding the relative acceptance and likelihood of successful implementation of digital mental health apps in Portugal. RESULTS The findings of the proposed studies will elicit important information on how physicians and individuals perceive digital mental health app interventions to improve access to care, patient outcomes, and reduce the burden of disease of mental ill-health. Data collection ran between September 26 and November 6, 2022, for the first study and September 20 and October 20, 2022, for the second study. We obtained 160 responses to the first study's survey and 539 answers to the second study's survey. Data analysis is concluded, and both studies' results are expected to be published in 2023. CONCLUSIONS The results of the studies projected in this research protocol will have implications for researchers and academia, industry, and policy makers concerning the adoption and implementation of digital health mental apps and associated interventions. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/41040.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Nogueira-Leite
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Decision in Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Nova School of Business and Economics Health and Economics Knowledge Center, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Programme in Health Data Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Cruz-Correia
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Decision in Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Currey D, Hays R, Torous J. Digital Phenotyping Models of Symptom Improvement in College Mental Health: Generalizability Across Two Cohorts. JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37362062 PMCID: PMC9978275 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-023-00310-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Smartphones can be used to gain insight into mental health conditions through the collection of survey and sensor data. However, the external validity of this digital phenotyping data is still being explored, and there is a need to assess if predictive models derived from this data are generalizable. The first dataset (V1) of 632 college students was collected between December 2020 and May 2021. The second dataset (V2) was collected using the same app between November and December 2021 and included 66 students. Students in V1 could enroll in V2. The main difference between the V1 and V2 studies was that we focused on protocol methods in V2 to ensure digital phenotyping data had a lower degree of missing data than in the V1 dataset. We compared survey response counts and sensor data coverage across the two datasets. Additionally, we explored whether models trained to predict symptom survey improvement could generalize across datasets. Design changes in V2, such as a run-in period and data quality checks, resulted in significantly higher engagement and sensor data coverage. The best-performing model was able to predict a 50% change in mood with 28 days of data, and models were able to generalize across datasets. The similarities between the features in V1 and V2 suggest that our features are valid across time. In addition, models must be able to generalize to new populations to be used in practice, so our experiments provide an encouraging result toward the potential of personalized digital mental health care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Currey
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, MA 02215 Boston, USA
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Ryan Hays
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, MA 02215 Boston, USA
| | - John Torous
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, MA 02215 Boston, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moderating effects of PER3 gene DNA methylation on the association of sleep quality with mental health in Chinese young adults. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:716-722. [PMID: 36528137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor sleepers have a higher prevalence of mental health problems, and vice versa. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unknown. We aimed to examine the bidirectional association between sleep quality and mental health, and further explore the moderating effects of PER3 gene DNA methylation on the association. METHODS This prospective longitudinal study was conducted from April 2019 to May 2021, integrated questionnaire and blood sample data from 2 universities in Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces. The current study recruited 1179 young adults at baseline and conducted the follow-up survey among 1135 half a year later. The sleep quality and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Blood samples were collected at baseline, and MethyTarget™ was used to detect the PER3 gene DNA methylation level. A cross-lag model was used to examine the bidirectional association between sleep quality and mental health. The PROCESS plug-in of SPSS software was used to analyse the moderating effects of PER3 gene DNA methylation. RESULTS Cross-lagged analyses suggested a significant bidirectional relationship between poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress symptoms. Sleep quality at baseline was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms (β = 0.344, P < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.348, P < 0.001), and stress symptoms (β = 0.324, P < 0.001) half a year later. Depressive symptoms (β = 0.049, P < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.055, P < 0.001), and stress symptoms (β = 0.063, P < 0.001) at baseline were also significant predictors of poor sleep quality half a year later. Furthermore, PER3 gene DNA methylation has negative moderating effects between sleep quality at baseline and depressive symptoms (β = -11.706, P = 0.012), anxiety symptoms (β = -10.289, P = 0.019), and stress symptoms (β = -10.799, P = 0.024) half a year later and a sex difference. Among boys, PER3 gene DNA methylation has positive moderating effects between anxiety symptoms at baseline and sleep quality (β = 3.337, P = 0.018) half a year later. However, there was no association between mental health at baseline and sleep quality half a year later among girls. CONCLUSION Bidirectional relationships were identified between sleep quality and mental health among Chinese young adults during the study period. DNA methylation evidence supports a negative moderating effect of PER3 gene DNA methylation on the relationship between sleep quality at baseline and mental health half a year later and had sex differences. Among boys, PER3 gene DNA methylation had positive moderating effects between anxiety symptoms at baseline and sleep quality half a year later. These findings point to the importance of circadian clock gene DNA methylation in the relationship between sleep quality and mental health.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chang S, Alon N, Torous J. An exploratory analysis of the effect size of the mobile mental health Application, mindLAMP. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231187244. [PMID: 37434734 PMCID: PMC10331229 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231187244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Despite the proliferation of mobile mental health apps, evidence of their efficacy around anxiety or depression is inadequate as most studies lack appropriate control groups. Given that apps are designed to be scalable and reusable tools, insights concerning their efficacy can also be assessed uniquely through comparing different implementations of the same app. This exploratory analysis investigates the potential to report a preliminary effect size of an open-source smartphone mental health app, mindLAMP, on the reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms by comparing a control implementation of the app focused on self-assessment to an intervention implementation of the same app focused on CBT skills. Methods A total of 328 participants were eligible and completed the study under the control implementation and 156 completed the study under the intervention implementation of the mindLAMP app. Both use cases offered access to the same in-app self-assessments and therapeutic interventions. Multiple imputations were utilized to impute the missing Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 survey scores of the control implementation. Results Post hoc analysis revealed small effect sizes of Hedge's g = 0.34 for Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Hedge's g = 0.21 for Patient Health Questionnaire-9 between the two groups. Conclusions mindLAMP shows promising results in improving anxiety and depression outcomes in participants. Though our results mirror the current literature in assessing mental health apps' efficacy, they remain preliminary and will be used to inform a larger, well-powered study to further elucidate the efficacy of mindLAMP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Chang
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noy Alon
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Torous
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gbollie EF, Bantjes J, Jarvis L, Swandevelder S, du Plessis J, Shadwell R, Davids C, Gerber R, Holland N, Hunt X. Intention to use digital mental health solutions: A cross-sectional survey of university students attitudes and perceptions toward online therapy, mental health apps, and chatbots. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231216559. [PMID: 38047161 PMCID: PMC10693229 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231216559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, the high prevalence of mental disorders among university students is a growing public health problem, yet a small minority of students with mental health problems receive treatment. Digital mental health solutions could bridge treatment gaps and overcome many barriers students face accessing treatment. However, there is scant evidence, especially in South Africa (SA), relating to university students' use of and intention to use digital mental health solutions or their attitudes towards these technologies. We aim to explore university 2students attitudes towards and perceptions of digital mental health solutions, and the factors associated with their intention to use them. Methods University students from four SA universities (n = 17 838) completed an online survey to assess experience with, attitudes and perceptions of, and intentions to use, digital mental health solutions. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis to identify factors underlying attitudes and perceptions, and then used multivariate ordinal regression analysis was used to investigate the factors' association with students' intention to use digital mental health solutions. Results Intention to use digital mental health solutions was high, and attitudes towards and perceptions of digital mental health solutions were largely positive. Importantly, our analysis also shows that 12.6% of users were willing to utilise some form of digital mental health solutions but were unwilling to utilise traditional face-to-face therapies. The greatest proportion of variance was explained by the factor 'Attitudes towards digital technologies' utility to improve student counselling services, provided they are safe'. Conclusion SA university students are already engaging with digital mental health solutions, and their intention to do so is high. Certain attitudes and perceptions, particularly concerning the utility, effectiveness, and safety, underlie willingness to engage with these solutions, providing potential targets for interventions to increase uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elton Fayiah Gbollie
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jason Bantjes
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, SAMRC, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucy Jarvis
- Western Cape Department of Health, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Jean du Plessis
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Richard Shadwell
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Charl Davids
- Center for Student Counselling and Development, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Rone Gerber
- Student Development and Support, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nuhaa Holland
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Xanthe Hunt
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Badawi E, Coursaris CK, Sénécal S, Léger PM. Facilitating engagement of universal school-based digital mental health solutions through user experience: A qualitative exploration. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1040739. [PMID: 37035481 PMCID: PMC10075357 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1040739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital mental health intervention (DMHI) programs offered in schools present a readily-accessible and flexible means for educating, empowering, and supporting adolescents in maintaining a balanced mental health, especially during uncertain and stressful times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent studies indicate that the effectiveness of DMHI programs in improving students' mental well-being and in preventing from their mental health complications depends on the users' engagement. This study focuses on identifying the user experience factors that can facilitate user engagement with universal school-based DMHI programs (i.e., the DMHI programs delivered to the students regardless of their mental health risks or conditions). To identify said factors, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of perceptions, opinions, and preferences of actual end-users (i.e., the adolescents) regarding their experiences with both digital and non-digital mental health resources. Specifically, interviews were conducted with two participant groups to uncover the reasons that could lead the adolescents to better engage with school-based DMHI programs, as well as the shortcomings that could prevent that from happening: (a) adolescent users who had either a high or a low level of engagement with universal DMHI programs of a specific school-based digital mental health solution; and (b) adolescents who had voluntarily used non-digital or non-school-based digital mental health resources for purposes other than treatment. Through a thematic analysis of interview data, the most important (or primary) and the additionally desirable (or secondary) factors that could lead to a higher engagement level for school-based DMHI programs were identified. Lastly, using the evidence gathered from our interviews, specific recommendations are proposed that could help in targeting each identified engagement factor and in increasing the likelihood that school-based DMHI programs achieve their desired outcome for high school students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Badawi
- Department of Information Technologies, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Correspondence: Erfan Badawi
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Paganin G, Apolinário-Hagen J, Simbula S. Introducing mobile apps to promote the well-being of German and Italian university students. A cross-national application of the Technology Acceptance Model. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 36320558 PMCID: PMC9610310 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03856-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Stress represents a significant risk factor for several psychophysical diseases among college students, such as depression and anxiety, which may undermine their academic functioning, resulting in high drop rates from college. Nevertheless, university services for mental health promotion are typically underutilized. As a result, professionals and authorities strive to find new ways to address students' mental health needs. In this view, mobile apps seem appropriate for well-being promotion interventions. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is the most widely used theory on users' intention to use technologies, we assumed that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) would be positively related to intention to use (INT), and PEOU would be positively related to PU among both Italian and German university students. To test our hypotheses, we replicated the same cross-sectional study in Italy (n = 255) and Germany (n = 228) with university students. Although we found partial scalar invariance of the TAM dimensions across the two nations, our predictions were only partially confirmed: PEOU was positively related to PU in the Italian sample only. Overall, this study is one of the first empirical attempts to compare TAM cross-nationally within the European context and it contributes to the small but increasing body of research investigating students' acceptance of smartphone-based interventions for stress management and well-being promotion. Understanding mobile health acceptance could help universities increase students' chances of adopting the proposed services, considering the factors influencing this choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Paganin
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126 Italy
| | - Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Silvia Simbula
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, 20126 Italy
- Bicocca Center for Applied Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, 20126 Italy
| |
Collapse
|