JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) have unique strengths as emerging services with practical applications among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with depression, anxiety, and stress. Though promising, the acceptance and participation of DMHIs vary in different interventions, participants and contexts. The factors for promoting or hindering the use of DMHIS need to be delineated and synthesised.

Objective:

To assess and synthesise facilitators and barriers to accessing DMHIs for depression, anxiety, and stress in AYAs with a systematic review.

Methods:

A comprehensive retrieval across multiple databases was conducted by October 31st, 2023. Data synthesis and analysis included quality assessment, the frequency of popular items, thematic analysis, and relative frequency of occurrence.

Results:

The final 27 records met the inclusion criteria. Depression, female/male/humans, adolescent, and internet are typical terms of the four clusters identified. Fourteen facilitators and thirteen barriers at the external, intervention, and individual levels were consolidated. The relative frequency of occurrence demonstrated quality and effect as the predominant facilitators and barriers of the DMHIs in portable or non-portable devices, single or multiple platforms.

Conclusions:

The study developed organised themes and subthemes, and synthesised fourteen facilitators and thirteen barriers in three levels. Quality and effect is the key focus in the use of DMHIs among AYAs with depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of the study provide detailed and structured information for future digital mental health service design and implementation.