Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Aug 16, 2022
Date Accepted: Oct 20, 2022
The Use of Technology to Provide Mental Health Services to Young People Experiencing Homelessness: A Scoping Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
There is growing interest in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve access to mental health services for young people experiencing homelessness (YEH), however limited efforts have been made to synthesize this literature.
Objective:
This study aims to review research on the use of ICTs to provide mental health services and interventions to YEH.
Methods:
We used scoping review methodology following the Arksey & O’Malley framework and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. The systematic search was conducted from 2005 to 2021 in Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science and Maestro. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and a qualitative approach. Two reviewers were involved in the screening and data extraction process, in consultation with a third reviewer.
Results:
From 2,153 abstracts and titles screened, 12 studies were included in the analysis. The most common types of ICTs used were communication technologies (e.g., phone, video and text messages) and mobile apps. The intervention goals varied widely across studies; the most common was reducing risky behaviors, followed by addressing cognitive functioning, providing emotional support, providing vital resources, and reducing anxiety. Most of the studies focused on feasibility of the intervention. Almost all of the studies reported high levels of acceptability and frequency of use. The principal challenges were related to technical problems such as the need to replace phones, issues with data service, and phone charging.
Conclusions:
Our results are indicative of the emerging role that ICTs are playing in the delivery of mental health services to YEH and there is a high level of acceptability based on early feasibility studies. However, there is a need to advance efficacy and effectiveness research in this area, with larger and longer studies. Clinical Trial: Scoping review protocol registered at Open Science Framework and available from: https://osf.io/m28xw
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