JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

College students are at heightened risk for mental health problems but often demonstrate low rates of seeking professional help. Although digital mental health tools can improve accessibility and reduce stigma, most are narrowly focused and lack integration with campus-based services. Multi-domain platforms that integrate diverse support features offer personalized, scalable solutions; however, their usability and effectiveness remain largely underexplored.

Objective:

This study evaluated “Fruto,” a multi-domain digital platform designed to support help-seeking behaviors among university students. We investigated students’ interaction with its integrated features, tracked changes in their attitudes and beliefs over time, and identified design elements that influenced these outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a two-phase, mixed-methods study. Phase 1 involved vignette-based semi-structured interviews (n = 16) to explore user experiences with a prototype version of Fruto, with thematic analysis guiding platform refinement. In Phase 2, a single-group pre-post study design was used, involving 70 students who used the app over eight weeks. Surveys assessed help-seeking attitudes, beliefs about counseling, and perceived app quality. Paired t-tests examined pre-post changes, and stepwise regression identified predictors of outcomes.

Results:

Significant improvements were observed in student’s positive attitudes toward help-seeking (t = -2.89, p = .005) and counseling expectations (t = -2.91, p = .005). However, no significant changes were observed in negative attitudes or socially supportive beliefs. Regression analyses indicated that subjective satisfaction with the app significantly predicted positive help-seeking attitudes (β = 0.227, p < .05), while perceived information credibility predicted positive counseling expectations (β = 0.237, p < .05). Qualitative findings emphasized the importance of trusted content providers, seamless feature integration, and relatable self-discovery content in reducing psychological barriers and enhancing user engagement.

Conclusions:

Fruto shows potential as a campus-integrated, multi-domain platform that supports student mental health through a user-centered, integrated design. Such platforms may be better equipped to address the evolving and personalized needs of students. Future research should incorporate control groups, long-term follow-up, and objective usage data to confirm efficacy and inform broader implementation. Clinical Trial: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0010622; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=30274&status=5&seq_group=30274&search_page=M