JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While universal resilience-enhancing programs are effective for adolescents, there is a need for interventions that are more easily accessible and able to be customized for the individual teen. Phone applications are easy to use, tailored to the individual, and have demonstrated positive effects for mental health outcomes.

Objective:

This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a resilience application for adolescents, further evaluating the effect of short-term use on changes in resilience.

Methods:

For Study 1, Phase 1, individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with adolescents, parents, teachers, and clinicians to discuss possible incentives for using a mental health application, the benefits of using an application, and concerns associated with application use. For Study 1, Phase 2, individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with adolescents, parents, teachers, and clinicians to gather feedback about the resilience application prototype. For Study 2, 40 adolescents used the application for 30 days to inform feasibility and acceptability; additionally, resilience and other secondary mental health outcomes were measured.

Results:

Multiple themes were identified through Study 1 individual interviews and focus groups, including application content, features, engagement, benefits, concerns, and improvement. Study 1, Phase 2 adolescents and adults reported the prototype was feasible and acceptable through the Computer System Usability Questionnaire (M = 6.30, SD = 1.03) and Mobile Application Rating Scale (M = 4.08, SD = 0.61). For Study 2, there were no significant differences for resilience and mental health outcomes after using the application for 30 days. There was variation between how much participants used the application, which may have led to variation within results. Users appeared to prefer the depression module and survey sections, which provided mental health feedback.

Conclusions:

Qualitative and quantitative data provide evidence that youth are interested in a resilience mental health application and found the current prototype to be feasible. Although there were no significant mental health changes for Study 2 users, clinical implications and future directions are discussed for mental health application research.