User character strengths predict engagement on a digital mental health platform for young people (Preprint)

Опубликована: Март 12, 2025

Mental ill health is a leading cause of disability worldwide, but access to evidence-based support remains limited. Digital mental interventions offer timely and low-cost solution. However, improvements in clinical outcomes are reliant on user engagement, which can be low for digital interventions. User characteristics, including demographics personality traits, could used tailor platforms promote longer-term engagement improved outcomes. This study aimed investigate how character strengths, set positive influence patterns with Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST), national platform offering individualised, online treatment young people aged 12-25. Data from 6967 who enrolled MOST between August 2021 July 2023 were analysed. Longitudinal analyses whether scores three strength dimensions (‘Social Harmony’, ‘Positive Determination’, ‘Courage Creativity’) associated (1) an accelerated or decelerated rate dropout the platform, (2) over first 12 weeks following onboarding. Engagement metrics time spent number sessions use embedded social network, messages team. On average, 72.64 days (SD = 106.64). The strengths distinct during this time. Individuals scoring higher ‘Social Harmony’ demonstrated (P .008). Interestingly, high rates initial more precipitous decline weeks, terms (t -5.05, P < .001) completed -2.26, .02). In contrast, Determination’ Creativity’ predicted modest steadier time, (Positive Determination: t 4.05, .001; Courage Creativity: 2.66, Contrary our predictions, did not predict network sent Our findings illustrate trajectories platform. Specifically, individuals showed that quickly declined, while those demonstrate lower opportunity tailored individual characteristics way would greater ongoing engagement.

Язык: Английский

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Barriers and Facilitators to Tele-Support Psychotherapy Versus Standard In-Person Mental Health Services for Youth (15-30 Years) with Depression in Kampala District, Uganda.

Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 2, 2025

Background: Depression remains a critical mental health challenge among young people in low-resource settings, where financial, structural, and social barriers frequently limit care access. Digital approaches, including tele-support psychotherapy (TSP), have emerged as promising, scalable alternatives to standard in-person services (SMHS); however, comparative insights into their relative strengths limitations remain scarce. Objective: This study sought identify compare facilitators influencing youth engagement with TSP versus SMHS for depression treatment Kampala District, Uganda. Methods: We conducted qualitative phenomenological investigation involving aged 15–30 enrolled randomized controlled trial evaluating both interventions. Data were gathered through semi-structured key informant interviews focus groups participants lay counselors, analyzed via inductive thematic analysis Results: Among 154 assigned TSP, 95 engaged the tele-psychotherapy call platform, compared only 15 out of 146 group. disparity underscores potential improve access care. Key interventions included strong support networks higher income levels, highlighting crucial interplay individual systemic factors. Technological challenges, such unreliable communication, hindered while high costs limited awareness SMHS. Government policies played dual role, fostering trust digital inadvertently limiting some. Lay counselor attributes, flexibility rapport-building skills, facilitators. Conclusion: presents viable alternative SMHS, particularly facing financial logistical barriers. However, optimizing its delivery requires addressing technological constraints, ensuring consistent government support, integrating literacy initiatives. Findings underscore need flexible contextually tailored models that leverage technology address enhance service resource-constrained settings.

Язык: Английский

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Digital Assessment of Wellbeing in New Parents (DAWN-P): protocol of a randomised feasibility trial comparing digital screening for maternal postnatal depression with usual care screening

Pilot and Feasibility Studies, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 11(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2025

Meta-analyses indicate that 17% of mothers experience postnatal depression (PND) in the year following childbirth, with suicide leading cause direct maternal death between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum. The consequences costs PND are particularly high due to impacts on infants as well parents. If detected, usually responds psychological treatment and/or medication but national reports > 50% cases undetected. To improve detection, we developed a digital screening system (CareLoop PND) whereby use an app monitor their mood daily using validated measure (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; EPDS), real-time responses uploaded secure server. In this paper, describe protocol study determine feasibility delivering full-scale RCT comparing standard NHS practice. single-blind randomised trial, participants (n = 80) will be recruited during late pregnancy from two maternity services (1:1) receive CareLoop alongside usual care, or care alone. Those experimental arm ≥ 36 weeks' until 8 During period, scoring above EPDS thresholds (via care) assessed confirm diagnosis. True positive identified by referred for support. A blinded researcher conduct follow-up assessments clinical health economic measures at At postpartum, also provide qualitative quantitative feedback exploring usability, acceptability, implementation. Feasibility evaluated priori criteria relating engagement, retention completion candidate primary outcome measures. Digital could increase appropriate referral perinatal mental care. However, prior roll out services, evidence efficacy cost-effectiveness is needed. current whether examining feasible inform design such trial. Prospective ISRCTN registration (03/07/23): ISRCTN10781027; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10781027 .

Язык: Английский

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Mental Health Professionals’ Technology Usage and Attitudes Toward Digital Health for Psychosis: Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey Study

JMIR Mental Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12, С. e68362 - e68362

Опубликована: Март 31, 2025

Abstract Background Digital health technologies (DHTs) for psychosis have been developed and tested rapidly in recent years. However, research examining mental professionals’ views on the use of DHTs people with is limited. Given increased accessibility availability psychosis, an up-to-date understanding staff perception warranted. Objective In this study, we aimed to investigate usage technology their service users’ usage; toward including concerns; barriers implementing a setting. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were distributed care who had experience working individuals experiencing United Kingdom. Survey 1 (from April 2018 September 2020) was 3 local UK National Health Service (NHS) trusts Northwest England; survey 2 administered nationally across 31 NHS or boards November 2022 March 2024). The COVID-19 pandemic occurred between periods. Data analyzed descriptively. Results A total 155 352 participants completed 2, respectively. Staff reported high levels ownership both surveys. general, expressed positive regarding psychosis; however, concerns, affordability, digital literacy, potential negative effects health, also reported. We did not find notable changes terms clinical practice over time. Conclusions sampled from broad diverse range consistent optimism about implementation practice, though they noted some concerns safety access. While frequently regarded as catalyst adoption tools, sustainability transition traditional appeared be suboptimal. To address potentially facilitate DHTs, systematic evaluation adverse using dissemination evidence are needed. Organizational support training should offered help increase confidence recommending users.

Язык: Английский

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The Mental health Technology Assessment of Quality (MTAQ): Development of a novel quality assurance framework for digital mental health tools (Preprint)

Опубликована: Апрель 14, 2025

The rapid growth of digital mental health tools offers accessible support for a growing global population with needs. However, concerns exist regarding their safety, efficacy, and overall quality, particularly used outside healthcare settings. lack regulation exacerbates these issues, existing quality assurance frameworks are limited in scope not specific to health, failing address crucial aspects such as user experience evidence-based practices. This study aims develop novel, comprehensive, pragmatic framework specifically tailored – the Mental Technology Assessment Quality (MTAQ). A convergent mixed-methods design was employed framework. Participants included service users, academic professionals, provision experts. Quantitative survey data (N=309) were collected then analysed descriptively evaluate stakeholder priorities across three domains: experience, data, evidence. gathered broad insights into relative value various factors, supplemented by qualitative from focus groups interviews (N=101), which provided richer perspectives relation initial, literature-derived domains. thematically using deductive approach. found that intuitive, accessible, user-centred design; robust privacy security measures; rigorous evidence important consider when assessing tools. These led development MTAQ, covering key domains structured assessment process. MTAQ provides first comprehensive criteria By aligning research evidence, input, clinical perspectives, this pragmatic, user-informed standard has application improving design, assessment, trustworthiness rapidly evolving field.

Язык: Английский

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