Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Feb 20, 2020
Date Accepted: Jun 22, 2020
Date Submitted to PubMed: Jul 15, 2020
Perceptions and Attitudes Toward a Mobile Phone App for Mental Health for College Students: A Qualitative Focus Group Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Many college students who have mental health issues do not receive professional care for a variety of reasons. Students who do not receive help often have both short and long-term adverse health outcomes. Mobile apps for mental health services such as MySSP may help eliminate the barriers to seeking mental health care and result in more positive outcomes for college students.
Objective:
This qualitative study uses the technology acceptance model (TAM) to better understand college students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the adoption and use of a mobile phone app for mental health
Methods:
A series of nine focus groups were conducted with college students (N=30) at a large university.
Results:
Results from focus groups resulted in the following themes: 1) existing awareness of the app; 2) perceived usefulness; 3) perceived ease of use; 4) attitudes toward apps for mental health and MySSP, and; 5) social influence.
Conclusions:
Future research should explore the specific contexts in which an app for mental health will be most effective for college students.
Citation
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Copyright
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