JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Considering the high prevalence of mental health conditions among young people and the technological advancements of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-informed approaches in health services, mobile mental health interventions are a promising way for low-threshold and large-scale mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention strategies, especially for young people. However, insufficient evidence on health-promoting effects and deficient user-centric designs emphasize the necessity for participatory methods in the interventions’ development processes.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore young people’s everyday experiences using an AI-informed mHealth app for mental health promotion based on Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) and Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI). Analysis of qualitative data focused on exploring young people’s usage patterns in daily life and mental health-promoting effects.

Methods:

We conducted problem-centred interviews and focus groups with a subsample of 27 young people aged 14-25 years, who were among the participants of two micro randomized trials (MRTs) testing and evaluating an AI-informed mHealth app (AI4U training). Our study employed a participatory approach, with “Co- and Peer-Researchers” from the dialogue population actively engaged in research processes and data analysis. Structural content analysis guided the qualitative analysis.

Results:

Participants reported enhanced emotional self-awareness and regulation in daily life through the EMA and EMI. Young people appreciated the AI4U training for managing emotions and stress. They had no trust issues to disclose their mental health via the AI4U training in daily life. Some faced challenges integrating it into their daily routines and highlighted the value of autonomy in usage decision-making processes.

Conclusions:

Our findings reveal that young people benefited from enhanced emotional awareness and management through the use of the AI4U training, appreciating its anonymity for facilitating emotional disclosure. The results suggest that enhanced self-directed use may improve daily life integration, though participants noted they sometimes avoided using the AI4U training during distress, despite recognizing its potential benefits. These findings indicate the importance of balancing directed use and autonomy in digital interventions to harmonize compliance with effectiveness in daily life. We highlight the importance of participatory research for tailored digital mental health solutions.