Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Oct 3, 2024
Date Accepted: Dec 28, 2024
Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: A Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly common among adolescents. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a promising way to deliver accessible Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions. However, research on the usability and effectiveness of apps tailored specifically for adolescents is limited
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness of a mobile CBT app designed for adolescents, focusing on user experiences and mental health outcomes.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 13-19 who engaged with a CBT app for four weeks. Feedback was gathered through focus groups and individual interviews, and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness
Results:
Usability challenges, such as complex navigation and non-intuitive design, impacted user experience. Features like gamification and personal relevance boosted engagement, while the lack of personalization limited sustained use. Short-term improvements in mood and anxiety were reported, but benefits diminished without regular app use. Barriers to engagement included technical issues and external distractions like schoolwork
Conclusions:
The mobile CBT app shows potential for improving adolescent mental health. However, to enhance user experience and engagement, future app iterations should focus on simplifying navigation, adding personalization features, and improving technical stability
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Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.