Accepted for/Published in: JMIR XR and Spatial Computing (JMXR)
Date Submitted: Mar 1, 2024
Date Accepted: Jul 27, 2024
Assessing Predictive Factors of Attitudes Toward Peer-Supported Mental Health Interventions in the Metaverse: A Mixed-Methods Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The metaverse is a promising avenue for accessible and clinically effective digital mental health treatments. However, few studies have examined general attitudes toward peer-supported metaverse mental health interventions (MMHIs).
Objective:
This study examined the relation of sociodemographic, mental health, and technology factors in predicting attitudes toward MMHIs.
Methods:
A total of 545 participants completed measures assessing attitudes toward MMHIs, sociodemographic factors, mental health factors, and technology factors. Participants also provided open-ended responses explaining their preference for peer-supported MMHIs vs. face-to-face interventions. Linear regression was used to examine predictors of general interest in peer-supported MMHIs and logistic regression was used to examine predictors of preference for MMHIs vs. face-to-face interventions.
Results:
Hispanic ethnicity, older age, higher ethnicity identity centrality, higher gender identity centrality, lack of internet access, more positive mental health attitudes, more positive computer attitudes, and greater virtual reality experience predicted greater general interest in MMHIs (Ps < .05). Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 1.75), older age (OR 1.04), higher ethnic identity centrality (OR 1.24), smartphone access (OR 10.36), higher self-reported video game use (OR 1.26), and more positive computer attitudes (OR 1.04) predicted greater odds of preference for MMHIs (vs. face-to-face interventions), whereas male gender (OR 0.45), internet access (OR 0.13), more positive mental health attitudes (OR 0.77), and higher levels of depression symptoms (OR 0.91) predicted lower odds of preference for MMHIs (vs. face-to-face interventions). Qualitative analysis revealed 14 themes describing reasons behind preference for MMHIs vs. face-to-face interventions, such as anonymity and accessibility.
Conclusions:
This study identified several factors associated with attitudes toward peer-supported MMHIs. These findings can be leveraged to inform mental health outreach to interested populations.
Citation
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