Developing mental health mobile apps: Exploring adolescents’ perspectives

Kenny, Rachel; Dooley, Barbara; Fitzgerald, Amanda

doi:10.1177/1460458214555041

Cited by 146 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…For effective risk communication, trust and/or confidence in the source/receiver are important [30]. Our results are similar to previous studies about app use with respect to influencing factors such as ease of use, language, layout, and costs [24, 31]. These can be seen as general influencing factors for using any app.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…This may be due to the fact that an individual with a rare disease can be more easily identified in healthcare data than someone without a rare disease [40]. A previous study among adolescents also found that high importance was attached to a safe app [31]. Further studies may determine whether diverse patient populations and HCP groups differ in their opinions on the importance of app security or whether such differences are country-related.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Influencing the Use of a Mobile App for Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions and Receiving Safety Information: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2016

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IntroductionA mobile app may increase the reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and improve the communication of new drug safety information. Factors that influence the use of an app for such two-way risk communication need to be considered at the development stage.ObjectiveOur aim was to reveal the factors that may influence healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients to use an app for two-way risk communication.MethodsFocus group discussions and face-to-face interviews were conducted in the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, patients with a rare disease or their caregivers and adolescents with health conditions were eligible to participate. HCPs included pharmacists, paediatricians, general practitioners, internists, practice nurses and professionals caring for patients with a rare disease. Patients and HCPs were recruited through various channels. The recorded discussions and interviews were transcribed verbatim. The dataset was analysed using thematic analysis and arranged according to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology.ResultsSeven focus group discussions and 13 interviews were conducted. In total, 21 HCPs and 50 patients participated. Identified factors that may influence the use of the app were the type of feedback given on reported ADRs, how ADR reports are stored and the type of drug news. Also mentioned were other functions of the app, ease of use, type of language, the source of safety information provided through the app, security of the app, layout, the operating systems on which the app can be used and the costs.ConclusionsFurther research is needed to assess associations between user characteristics and the direction (positive or negative) of the factors potentially influencing app use.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40264-016-0494-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing the Use of a Mobile App for Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions and Receiving Safety Information: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2016

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“…No assessment of the developmental appropriateness of such apps was made. However, such an analysis is warranted given that adolescents have other needs than adults, for example, simpler interfaces and different app features based on differentially identified behavior change techniques compared with adults [12,49,50]. Unfortunately, at present, no coding system and legalities related to age appropriateness of apps for children and adolescents exist within the regulatory framework of the EU [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Fitness and Nutrition Apps: Associations With Body Mass Index, Snacking, and Drinking Habits in Adolescents

Cock¹,

Vangeel

Lachat³

et al. 2017

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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BackgroundEfforts to improve snacking and drinking habits are needed to promote a healthy body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Although commercial fitness and nutrition mobile phone apps are widely used, little is known regarding their potential to improve health behaviors, especially in adolescents. In addition, evidence on the mechanisms through which such fitness and nutrition apps influence behavior is lacking.ObjectivesThis study assessed whether the use of commercial fitness or nutrition apps was associated with a lower BMI and healthier snacking and drinking habits in adolescents. Additionally, it explored if perceived behavioral control to eat healthy; attitudes to eat healthy for the good taste of healthy foods, for overall health or for appearance; social norm on healthy eating and social support to eat healthy mediated the associations between the frequency of use of fitness or nutrition apps and BMI, the healthy snack, and beverage ratio.MethodsCross-sectional self-reported data on snack and beverage consumption, healthy eating determinants, and fitness and nutrition app use of adolescents (N=889; mean age 14.7 years, SD 0.8; 54.8% [481/878] boys; 18.1% [145/803] overweight) were collected in a representative sample of 20 schools in Flanders, Belgium. Height and weight were measured by the researchers. The healthy snack ratio and the healthy beverage ratio were calculated as follows: gram healthy snacks or beverages/(gram healthy snacks or beverages+gram unhealthy snacks or beverages)×100. Multilevel regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the proposed associations and to explore multiple mediation.ResultsA total of 27.6% (245/889) of the adolescents used fitness, nutrition apps or both. Frequency of using nutrition apps was positively associated with a higher healthy beverage ratio (b=2.96 [1.11], P=.008) and a higher body mass index z-scores (zBMI; b=0.13 [0.05], P=.008. A significant interaction was found between the frequency of using nutrition and for the zBMI (b=−0.03 [0.02], P=.04) and the healthy snack ratio (b=−0.84 [0.37], P=.03). Attitude to eat healthy for appearance mediated both the fitness app use frequency-zBMI (a × b=0.02 [0.01], P=.02) and the nutrition app use frequency-zBMI (a × b=0.04 [0.01], P=.001) associations. No mediation was observed for the associations between the frequency of use of fitness or nutrition apps and the healthy snack or beverage ratio.ConclusionsCommercial fitness and nutrition apps show some association with healthier eating behaviors and BMI in adolescents. However, effective behavior change techniques should be included to affect key determinants of healthy eating.

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“…Although users are regularly involved in the evaluation, design and development of mental health apps, see for instance [19,20], the actual level of involvement remains challenging to ascertain. Furthermore, there is no globally agreed upon terminology describing practices of 'user involvement'.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

User Involvement in Developing the MYPLAN Mobile Phone Safety Plan App for People in Suicidal Crisis: Case Study (Preprint)

Buus¹,

Juel²,

Haskelberg³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract:Background: The efficacy of safety planning for people in suicidal crisis is not yet determined but using safety plans to mitigate acute psychological crisis is regarded 'best practice'. In 2016-17, Australian and Danish key stakeholders were systematically involved in revising and translating the Danish MYPLAN mobile phone safety plan app into a culturally appropriate version for Australia. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine stakeholders' suggestions and significant developments of MYPLAN during the user involving processes. Method: We utilized a case study design where audio recordings of four focus groups and five workshops in Denmark and Australia were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The analyses identified three consecutive phases in the extensive development of the app: From phase one, 'Suggesting core functions', through phase two, 'Refining functions', to phase three, 'Negotiating the finish'. The user involving processes continued to prevent closure and challenged researchers and app developers to repeatedly rethink the app's basic design and functions. It was a limitation that the analysis did not include potentially determinative 'backstage' dimensions of the decision-making process. Conclusion: The extended user involvement prolonged the development process, but it also allowed for an extensive exploration of different user perspectives and needs.

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Developing mental health mobile apps: Exploring adolescents’ perspectives

Cited by 146 publications

References 24 publications

Factors Influencing the Use of a Mobile App for Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions and Receiving Safety Information: A Qualitative Study

Factors Influencing the Use of a Mobile App for Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions and Receiving Safety Information: A Qualitative Study

Use of Fitness and Nutrition Apps: Associations With Body Mass Index, Snacking, and Drinking Habits in Adolescents

User Involvement in Developing the MYPLAN Mobile Phone Safety Plan App for People in Suicidal Crisis: Case Study (Preprint)

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