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Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research

Date Submitted: May 28, 2025
Date Accepted: Oct 28, 2025

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Exploration of Factors That Affect Engagement With the Experience Sampling Method and Service Users’ Experience of This Within the AVATAR2 Trial: Mixed Methods Study

Dennard S, Garety P, Edwards C, Gumley A, Owrid O, Miller L, Allan S, Duerden A, Yanga F, Burns C, Fletcher H, Grant A

Exploration of Factors That Affect Engagement With the Experience Sampling Method and Service Users’ Experience of This Within the AVATAR2 Trial: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Form Res 2025;9:e78204

DOI: 10.2196/78204

PMID: 41385734

PMCID: 12700335

Examining factors that affect engagement with the Experience Sampling Method (ESM): Exploring service users' experience of this within the AVATAR2 trial using mixed methods.

  • Sophie Dennard; 
  • Philippa Garety; 
  • Clementine Edwards; 
  • Andrew Gumley; 
  • Oliver Owrid; 
  • Lucy Miller; 
  • Stephanie Allan; 
  • Alison Duerden; 
  • Francis Yanga; 
  • Chloe Burns; 
  • Helena Fletcher; 
  • Amy Grant

ABSTRACT

Background:

Experience sampling methodology (ESM) is an assessment method ultilised in psychosis research. Symptom severity and gender may be associated with ESM engagement. Exploring qualitative experiences of using ESM amongst people with psychosis should aid developing more accurate, accessible digital assessments.

Objective:

This study explored factors that could affect ESM engagement, and qualitatively examined the experiences of people with psychosis using ESM.

Methods:

Data from 207 AVATAR2 trial (ISRCTN55682735) participants were used to evaluate associations between demographic variables, symptom severity and ESM completion rates. Trial participants were purposively sampled to participate in an interview to discuss their experiences of using ESM or to discuss reasons why they chose not to use it.

Results:

Age, gender, ethnicity and clinical severity were not associated with ESM completion rates. A thematic analysis of 17 participant interviews found three overarching themes.

Conclusions:

ESM has multiple benefits for people with psychosis including increasing knowledge and awareness of mental health. ESM was straightforward and easy to use, however engaging in other activities, experiencing positive symptoms, little experience using technology and trial involvement impacted engagement. Decisions to use ESM were influenced by concerns about security and privacy. Recommendations are made on how engagement with ESM can be improved, making it easier to use this method with this population.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Dennard S, Garety P, Edwards C, Gumley A, Owrid O, Miller L, Allan S, Duerden A, Yanga F, Burns C, Fletcher H, Grant A

Exploration of Factors That Affect Engagement With the Experience Sampling Method and Service Users’ Experience of This Within the AVATAR2 Trial: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Form Res 2025;9:e78204

DOI: 10.2196/78204

PMID: 41385734

PMCID: 12700335

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