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Background: Existing interventions for co-occurring depression and cannabis use often do not treat both disorders simultaneously and can result in higher rates of symptom relapse. Traditional in-person interventions are often difficult to obtain due to financial and time limitations, which may further prevent individuals with co-occurring depression and cannabis use from receiving adequate treatment. Digital interventions can increase the scalability and accessibility for these individuals, but few digital interventions exist to treat both disorders simultaneously. Targeting transdiagnostic processes of these disorders with a digital intervention -specifically positive valence system dysfunction -may yield improved access and outcomes.Objective: Recent research has highlighted a need for the inclusion of individuals with lived experiences to assist in the codesign of interventions to enhance scalability and relevance of an intervention. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to describe the process of eliciting feedback from individuals with elevated depressed symptoms and cannabis use and co-designing a digital intervention focused on improving positive valence system dysfunction in these disorders.Methods: Ten individuals who endorsed moderate to severe depressive symptoms and regular cannabis use (2-3x/week) were recruited online via Meta ads. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants completed a one-hour qualitative interview over Zoom where they gave their feedback and suggestions for the development of a mental health app, based on an existing treatment targeting positive valence system dysfunction, for depressive symptoms and cannabis use. The qualitative approach allowed for a broader investigation of participants' wants and needs regarding the engagement and scalability of the intervention, and the quantitative approach allowed for specific ratings of intervention content to be potentially included.Results: Participants perceived the 13 different content areas of the intervention focused on positive valence system dysfunction as overall helpful (M = 3.9 -4.4) and interesting (M = 4.0 -4.9) on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). They gave qualitative feedback for increasing engagement in the app, including adding a social component, utilizing notifications, and being able to track their symptoms and progress over time. Conclusions:The current study highlights the importance of including individuals with lived experiences in the development of interventions, including digital interventions. This inclusion resulted in valuable feedback and suggestions for improving the proposed digital intervention targeting the positive valence system to better match the wants and needs of individuals with depressive symptoms and cannabis use.
Background: Existing interventions for co-occurring depression and cannabis use often do not treat both disorders simultaneously and can result in higher rates of symptom relapse. Traditional in-person interventions are often difficult to obtain due to financial and time limitations, which may further prevent individuals with co-occurring depression and cannabis use from receiving adequate treatment. Digital interventions can increase the scalability and accessibility for these individuals, but few digital interventions exist to treat both disorders simultaneously. Targeting transdiagnostic processes of these disorders with a digital intervention -specifically positive valence system dysfunction -may yield improved access and outcomes.Objective: Recent research has highlighted a need for the inclusion of individuals with lived experiences to assist in the codesign of interventions to enhance scalability and relevance of an intervention. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to describe the process of eliciting feedback from individuals with elevated depressed symptoms and cannabis use and co-designing a digital intervention focused on improving positive valence system dysfunction in these disorders.Methods: Ten individuals who endorsed moderate to severe depressive symptoms and regular cannabis use (2-3x/week) were recruited online via Meta ads. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants completed a one-hour qualitative interview over Zoom where they gave their feedback and suggestions for the development of a mental health app, based on an existing treatment targeting positive valence system dysfunction, for depressive symptoms and cannabis use. The qualitative approach allowed for a broader investigation of participants' wants and needs regarding the engagement and scalability of the intervention, and the quantitative approach allowed for specific ratings of intervention content to be potentially included.Results: Participants perceived the 13 different content areas of the intervention focused on positive valence system dysfunction as overall helpful (M = 3.9 -4.4) and interesting (M = 4.0 -4.9) on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). They gave qualitative feedback for increasing engagement in the app, including adding a social component, utilizing notifications, and being able to track their symptoms and progress over time. Conclusions:The current study highlights the importance of including individuals with lived experiences in the development of interventions, including digital interventions. This inclusion resulted in valuable feedback and suggestions for improving the proposed digital intervention targeting the positive valence system to better match the wants and needs of individuals with depressive symptoms and cannabis use.
Background Despite the increasing focus on perinatal care, preventive digital interventions are still scarce. Furthermore, the literature suggests that the design and development of these interventions are mainly conducted through a top-down approach that limitedly accounts for direct end user perspectives. Objective Building from a previous co-design study, this study aimed to qualitatively evaluate pregnant women’s experiences with a chatbot (Juno) prototype designed to deploy a preventive behavioral activation intervention. Methods Using a multiple–case study design, the research aims to uncover similarities and differences in participants’ perceptions of the chatbot while also exploring women’s desires for improvement and technological advancements in chatbot-based interventions in perinatal mental health. Five pregnant women interacted weekly with the chatbot, operationalized in Telegram, following a 6-week intervention. Self-report questionnaires were administered at baseline and postintervention time points. About 10-14 days after concluding interactions with Juno, women participated in a semistructured interview focused on (1) their personal experience with Juno, (2) user experience and user engagement, and (3) their opinions on future technological advancements. Interview transcripts, comprising 15 questions, were qualitatively evaluated and compared. Finally, a text-mining analysis of transcripts was performed. Results Similarities and differences have emerged regarding women’s experiences with Juno, appreciating its esthetic but highlighting technical issues and desiring clearer guidance. They found the content useful and pertinent to pregnancy but differed on when they deemed it most helpful. Women expressed interest in receiving increasingly personalized responses and in future integration with existing health care systems for better support. Accordingly, they generally viewed Juno as an effective momentary support but emphasized the need for human interaction in mental health care, particularly if increasingly personalized. Further concerns included overreliance on chatbots when seeking psychological support and the importance of clearly educating users on the chatbot’s limitations. Conclusions Overall, the results highlighted both the positive aspects and the shortcomings of the chatbot-based intervention, providing insight into its refinement and future developments. However, women stressed the need to balance technological support with human interactions, particularly when the intervention involves beyond preventive mental health context, to favor a greater and more reliable monitoring.
BACKGROUND Existing interventions for co-occurring depression and cannabis use often do not treat both disorders simultaneously and can result in higher rates of symptom relapse. Traditional in-person interventions are often difficult to obtain due to financial and time limitations, which may further prevent individuals with co-occurring depression and cannabis use from receiving adequate treatment. Digital interventions can increase the scalability and accessibility for these individuals, but few digital interventions exist to treat both disorders simultaneously. Targeting transdiagnostic processes of these disorders with a digital intervention – specifically positive valence system dysfunction – may yield improved access and outcomes. OBJECTIVE Recent research has highlighted a need for the inclusion of individuals with lived experiences to assist in the co-design of interventions to enhance scalability and relevance of an intervention. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to describe the process of eliciting feedback from individuals with elevated depressed symptoms and cannabis use and co-designing a digital intervention focused on improving positive valence system dysfunction in these disorders. METHODS Ten individuals who endorsed moderate to severe depressive symptoms and regular cannabis use (2-3x/week) were recruited online via Meta ads. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants completed a one-hour qualitative interview over Zoom where they gave their feedback and suggestions for the development of a mental health app, based on an existing treatment targeting positive valence system dysfunction, for depressive symptoms and cannabis use. The qualitative approach allowed for a broader investigation of participants’ wants and needs regarding the engagement and scalability of the intervention, and the quantitative approach allowed for specific ratings of intervention content to be potentially included. RESULTS Participants perceived the 13 different content areas of the intervention focused on positive valence system dysfunction as overall helpful (M = 3.9 - 4.4) and interesting (M = 4.0 - 4.9) on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). They gave qualitative feedback for increasing engagement in the app, including adding a social component, utilizing notifications, and being able to track their symptoms and progress over time. CONCLUSIONS The current study highlights the importance of including individuals with lived experiences in the development of interventions, including digital interventions. This inclusion resulted in valuable feedback and suggestions for improving the proposed digital intervention targeting the positive valence system to better match the wants and needs of individuals with depressive symptoms and cannabis use.
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