JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Major depressive episodes (MDE) are prevalent in the workplace and affect workers’ health and productivity. Given the significant disease burden, there is a pressing need for innovation in prevention of MDE in the workplace. The prevalence of MDE in women is approximately two times higher than that in men, however the Canadian national data showed that 76% of all suicides in 2009 were male. Thus, the development and implementation of e-mental health programs for prevention of MDE need to be examined with a gender lens.

Objective:

The objectives of this study are to examine sex/age differences in health related internet use and design feature preferences for an e-mental health program targeted towards depression prevention.

Methods:

The random digit dialing method (RDD) was used to contact household residents across the country by Interviewers. Through two surveys, 500 eligible women and 511 eligible men were interviewed. Internet use was assessed using questions from the 2012 Canadian Internet Use Survey conducted by Statistics Canada and preferred design features of e-mental health program questions were developed by the BroMatters team members. The proportions of likely use of specific features of e-mental health programs in women was estimated and compared with those in men using chi square tests. The comparisons were made overall and by age groups.

Results:

Men (35.4%) and women (42.2%) differed significantly in their likelihood of using an e-mental health program. Women (85.2%) were more likely to use the Internet for medical or health-related information compared to men (62.8%). Women were more likely to use design features such as practices and exercises to help reduce symptoms of stress and depression (70.7%), a self-help interactive program that provides information about stress and work problems (61.8%), the ability to ask questions and receive answers from mental health professionals via email or text message (59.9%), and to receive printed materials by mail (43.4%), whereas men (30.7%) preferred to receive information in video game format. Younger men and women were more likely to access a program through a smartphone or as an app, younger men preferred having access to information in video game format, and middle aged men preferred receiving information by mail.

Conclusions:

Factors such as gender and age influenced design feature preferences for an e-mental health program. Working women who are at high risk for MDE preferred interactive programs incorporating practice and exercise for reducing stress, quality information about work stress, and some guidance from professionals. This suggests that age and sex should be taken into account when designing e-mental health programs in order to meet the needs of individuals seeking help via online mental health programs, and to enhance their use.