Engagement With a Trauma Recovery Internet Intervention Explained With the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA): Longitudinal Study

The Impact of Video-Based Microinterventions on Attitudes Toward Mental Health and Help Seeking in Youth: Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Mental health (MH) problems in youth are prevalent, burdening, and frequently persistent. Despite the existence of effective treatment, the uptake of professional help is low, particularly due to attitudinal barriers.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effectiveness and acceptability of 2 video-based microinterventions aimed at reducing barriers to MH treatment and increasing the likelihood of seeking professional help in young people.

METHODS

This study was entirely web based and open access. The interventions addressed 5 MH problems: generalized anxiety disorder, depression, bulimia, nonsuicidal self-injury, and problematic alcohol use. Intervention 1 aimed to destigmatize and improve MH literacy, whereas intervention 2 aimed to induce positive outcome expectancies regarding professional help seeking. Of the 2435 participants who commenced the study, a final sample of 1394 (57.25%) participants aged 14 to 29 years with complete data and sufficient durations of stay on the video pages were randomized in a fully automated manner to 1 of the 5 MH problems and 1 of 3 conditions (control, intervention 1, and intervention 2) in a permuted block design. After the presentation of a video vignette, no further videos were shown to the control group, whereas a second, short intervention video was presented to the intervention 1 and 2 groups. Intervention effects on self-reported potential professional help seeking (primary outcome), stigma, and attitudes toward help seeking were examined using analyses of covariance across and within the 5 MH problems. Furthermore, we assessed video acceptability.

RESULTS

No significant group effects on potential professional help seeking were found in the total sample (F2,1385=0.99; P=.37). However, the groups differed significantly with regard to stigma outcomes and the likelihood of seeking informal help (F2,1385=3.75; P=.02). Furthermore, separate analyses indicated substantial differences in intervention effects among the 5 MH problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to promote help seeking for MH problems may require disorder-specific approaches. The study results can inform future research and public health campaigns addressing adolescents and young adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023110; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00023110.

How to Improve People's Intentions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impaired the health and living conditions of millions of people. For governments to formulate policies promoting vaccination behavior, it is important to understand individuals' intentions to vaccinate. This study explores the effectiveness of a brief online intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in improving individuals' COVID-19 vaccination intention, as well as considering the reasons for their unwillingness to get vaccinated.

METHOD

A total of 1,258 participants were assessed using a questionnaire to determine their phase of vaccination intention (pre-intention, intention, and action). Subsequently, focused on the underlying factors in the pre-intention phase (i.e., task self-efficacy, outcome expectation, and risk perception), a 7-day randomized controlled HAPA intervention (n intervention = 57, n control = 49) was conducted online for individuals who were not willing to get vaccinated. The measurement points included pre- (T1), post- (T2), and 30-day follow-up (T3).

RESULTS

The intervention may effectively improve participants' COVID-19 vaccination intentions; however, it had no impact on their planning and actions involved in taking the vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides relevant reference data for government stakeholders to use in developing public awareness campaigns and policies to encourage COVID-19 vaccination.

The Effect of a Digital Mental Health Program on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Severity

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based digital health programs have shown efficacy in being primary tools to improve emotional and mental health, as well as offering supplementary support to individuals undergoing psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. However, information is lacking about the dose response to digital mental health interventions.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of time in program and program usage on symptom change among individuals enrolled in a real-world comprehensive digital mental health program (myStrength) who are experiencing severe anxiety or depression.

METHODS

Eligible participants (N=18,626) were adults aged 18 years and older who were enrolled in myStrength for at least four weeks as part of their employee wellness benefit program, who completed baseline, the 2-week, 2-month, and 6-month surveys querying symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]). Linear growth curve models were used to analyze the effect of average weekly program usage on subsequent GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores for participants with scores indicating severe anxiety (GAD-7≥15) or depression (PHQ-9≥15). All models were adjusted for baseline score and demographics.

RESULTS

Participants in the study (N=1519) were 77.4% female (1176/1519), had a mean age of 45 years (SD 14 years), and had an average enrollment time of 3 months. At baseline, participants reported an average of 9.39 (SD 6.04) on the GAD-7 and 11.0 (SD 6.6) on the PHQ-9. Those who reported 6-month results had an average of 8.18 (SD 6.15) on the GAD-7 and 9.18 (SD 6.79) on the PHQ-9. Participants with severe scores (n=506) experienced a significant improvement of 2.97 (SE 0.35) and 3.97 (SE 0.46) at each time point for anxiety and depression, respectively (t=-8.53 and t=-8.69, respectively; Ps<.001). Those with severe baseline scores also saw a reduction of 0.27 (SE 0.08) and 0.25 (SE 0.09) points in anxiety and depression, respectively, for each additional program activity per week (t=-3.47 and t=-2.66, respectively; Ps<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For participants with severe baseline scores, the study found a clinically significant reduction of approximately 9 points for anxiety and 12 points for depression after 6 months of enrollment, suggesting that interventions targeting mental health must maintain active, ongoing engagement when symptoms are present and be available as a continuous resource to maximize clinical impact, specifically in those experiencing severe anxiety or depression. Moreover, a dosing effect was shown, indicating improvement in outcomes among participants who engaged with the program every other day for both anxiety and depression. This suggests that digital mental health programs that provide both interesting and evidence-based activities could be more successful in further improving mental health outcomes.

Measuring Engagement with Mental Health and Behavior Change Interventions: an Integrative Review of Methods and Instruments

BACKGROUND

Engagement is a complex construct consisting of behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions, making engagement a difficult construct to measure. This integrative review aims to (1) present a multidisciplinary overview of measurement methods that are currently used to measure engagement with adult mental health and behavior change interventions, delivered in-person, blended, or digitally, and (2) provide a set of recommendations and considerations for researchers wishing to study engagement.

METHODS

We used an integrative approach and identified original studies and reviews on engagement with mental health or behavior change interventions that were delivered in-person, digitally, or blended.

RESULTS

Forty articles were analyzed in this review. Common methods to assess engagement were through objective usage data, questionnaire-based data, and qualitative data, with objective usage data being used most frequently. Based on the synthesis of engagement measures, we advise researchers to (1) predefine the operationalization of engagement for their specific research context, (2) measure behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions of engagement in all cases, and (3) measure engagement over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature shows a bias towards behavioral measures of engagement in research, as most studies measured engagement exclusively through objective usage data, without including cognitive and affective measures of engagement. We hope that our recommendations will help to reduce this bias and to steer engagement research towards an integrated approach.

Identifying essential factors that influence user engagement with digital mental health tools in clinical care settings: Protocol for a Delphi study

Introduction

Improving effective user engagement with digital mental health tools has become a priority in enabling the value of digital health. With increased interest from the mental health community in embedding digital health tools as part of care delivery, there is a need to examine and identify the essential factors in influencing user engagement with digital mental health tools in clinical care. The current study will use a Delphi approach to gain consensus from individuals with relevant experience and expertise (e.g. patients, clinicians and healthcare administrators) on factors that influence user engagement (i.e. an essential factor).

Methods

Participants will be invited to complete up to four rounds of online surveys. The first round of the Delphi study comprises of reviewing existing factors identified in literature and commenting on whether any factors they believe are important are missing from the list. Subsequent rounds will involve asking participants to rate the perceived impact of each factor in influencing user engagement with digital mental health tools in clinical care contexts. This work is expected to consolidate the perspectives from relevant stakeholders and the academic literature to identify a core set of factors considered essential in influencing user engagement with digital mental health tools in clinical care contexts.

Mapping User Engagement in Digital Psychotherapy: An Integrative Engagement Model (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

Digital mental health interventions, such as 2-way and asynchronous messaging therapy, are a growing part of the mental health care treatment ecosystem, yet little is known about how users engage with these interventions over the course of their treatment journeys. User engagement, or client behaviors and therapeutic relationships that facilitate positive treatment outcomes, is a necessary condition for the effectiveness of any digital treatment. Developing a better understanding of the factors that impact user engagement can impact the overall effectiveness of digital psychotherapy. Mapping the user experience in digital therapy may be facilitated by integrating theories from several fields. Specifically, health science's Health Action Process Approach and human-computer interaction's Lived Informatics Model may be usefully synthesized with relational constructs from psychotherapy process-outcome research to identify the determinants of engagement in digital messaging therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to capture insights into digital therapy users' engagement patterns through a qualitative analysis of focus group sessions. We aimed to synthesize emergent intrapersonal and relational determinants of engagement into an integrative framework of engagement in digital therapy.

METHODS

A total of 24 focus group participants were recruited to participate in 1 of 5 synchronous focus group sessions held between October and November 2021. Participant responses were coded by 2 researchers using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Coders identified 10 relevant constructs and 24 subconstructs that can collectively account for users' engagement and experience trajectories in the context of digital therapy. Although users' engagement trajectories in digital therapy varied widely, they were principally informed by intrapsychic factors (eg, self-efficacy and outcome expectancy), interpersonal factors (eg, the therapeutic alliance and its rupture), and external factors (eg, treatment costs and social support). These constructs were organized into a proposed Integrative Engagement Model of Digital Psychotherapy. Notably, every participant in the focus groups indicated that their ability to connect with their therapist was among the most important factors that were considered in continuing or terminating treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Engagement in messaging therapy may be usefully approached through an interdisciplinary lens, linking constructs from health science, human-computer interaction studies, and clinical science in an integrative engagement framework. Taken together, our results suggest that users may not view the digital psychotherapy platform itself as a treatment so much as a means of gaining access to a helping provider, that is, users did not see themselves as engaging with a platform but instead viewed their experience as a healing relationship. The findings of this study suggest that a better understanding of user engagement is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions, and future research should continue to explore the underlying factors that contribute to engagement in digital mental health interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04507360; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04507360.

Engagement, Predictors, and Outcomes of a Trauma Recovery Digital Mental Health Intervention: Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, exposure to potentially traumatic events is extremely common, and many individuals develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with other disorders. Unfortunately, considerable barriers to treatment exist. A promising approach to overcoming treatment barriers is a digital mental health intervention (DMHI). However, engagement with DMHIs is a concern, and theoretically based research in this area is sparse and often inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

The focus of this study is on the complex issue of DMHI engagement. On the basis of the social cognitive theory framework, the conceptualization of engagement and a theoretically based model of predictors and outcomes were investigated using a DMHI for trauma recovery.

METHODS

A 6-week longitudinal study with a national sample of survivors of trauma was conducted to measure engagement, predictors of engagement, and mediational pathways to symptom reduction while using a trauma recovery DMHI (time 1: N=915; time 2: N=350; time 3: N=168; and time 4: N=101).

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis of the engagement latent constructs of duration, frequency, interest, attention, and affect produced an acceptable model fit (χ²₂=8.3; P=.02; comparative fit index 0.973; root mean square error of approximation 0.059; 90% CI 0.022-0.103). Using the latent construct, the longitudinal theoretical model demonstrated adequate model fit (comparative fit index 0.929; root mean square error of approximation 0.052; 90% CI 0.040-0.064), indicating that engagement self-efficacy (β=.35; P<.001) and outcome expectations (β=.37; P<.001) were significant predictors of engagement (R²=39%). The overall indirect effect between engagement and PTSD symptom reduction was significant (β=-.065; P<.001; 90% CI -0.071 to -0.058). This relationship was serially mediated by both skill activation self-efficacy (β=.80; P<.001) and trauma coping self-efficacy (β=.40; P<.001), which predicted a reduction in PTSD symptoms (β=-.20; P=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study may provide a solid foundation for formalizing the nascent science of engagement. Engagement conceptualization comprised general measures of attention, interest, affect, and use that could be applied to other applications. The longitudinal research model supported 2 theoretically based predictors of engagement: engagement self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. A total of 2 task-specific self-efficacies-skill activation and trauma coping-proved to be significant mediators between engagement and symptom reduction. Taken together, this model can be applied to other DMHIs to understand engagement, as well as predictors and mechanisms of action. Ultimately, this could help improve the design and development of engaging and effective trauma recovery DMHIs.

Insomnia predicts treatment engagement and symptom change: a secondary analysis of a web-based CBT intervention for veterans with PTSD symptoms and hazardous alcohol use

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and hazardous drinking are highly comorbid, and often more severe than PTSD or hazardous drinking alone. Integrated, web-based interventions for PTSD/hazardous drinking may increase access to care, but have demonstrated equivocal results in reducing PTSD and hazardous drinking. One factor that may explain treatment engagement and symptom change is the presence of insomnia symptoms. The current study conducted secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial of an integrated web-based intervention for PTSD symptoms and hazardous drinking to examine insomnia symptoms as predictors of PTSD symptoms, alcohol use, and treatment engagement. In the parent study, 162 veterans in primary care reporting PTSD symptoms and hazardous drinking were randomized to receive either the intervention or treatment as usual. The current study examined insomnia among veterans who received the intervention (n = 81). Regression models tested baseline insomnia symptoms as predictors of treatment engagement, follow-up PTSD symptoms, and alcohol use. Hierarchical regression models tested change in insomnia during treatment as a predictor of follow-up PTSD symptoms and alcohol use. Results showed baseline insomnia predicted treatment engagement and follow-up drinking days, but not PTSD symptoms or heavy drinking days. Although overall change in insomnia was small, it predicted follow-up PTSD and heavy drinking days, but not drinking days. Results are consistent with previous research highlighting the importance of identifying and treating insomnia in the course of integrated treatment for PTSD/hazardous drinking. Future research should investigate how to best integrate insomnia, PTSD, and/or hazardous drinking interventions to maximize treatment engagement.

The Concept and Components of Engagement in Different Domains Applied to eHealth: A Systematic Scoping Review

Within the context of eHealth interventions, a shared understanding of what constitutes engagement in and with eHealth technologies is missing. A clearer understanding of engagement could provide a valuable starting point for guidelines relating to the design and development of eHealth technologies. Given the cross-disciplinary use of the term "engagement," investigating how engagement (and its components) is conceptualized in different domains could lead to determining common components that are deemed important for eHealth technological design. As such, the aim of this paper was 3-fold: (a) to investigate in which domains engagement features, (b) to determine what constitutes engagement in these different domains, and (c) to determine whether there are any common components that seem to be important. A comprehensive systematic scoping review of the existing literature was conducted in order to identify the domains in which engagement is used, to extract the associated definitions of engagement, and to identify the dimensionality or components thereof. A search of five bibliographic databases yielded 1,231 unique records. All titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. This led to 69 articles being included for further analyses. The results showed that engagement is used in seven functional domains, categorized as follows: student (n = 18), customer (n = 12), health (n = 11), society (n = 10), work (n = 9), digital (n = 8), and transdisciplinary (n = 1) domains. It seems that some domains are more mature regarding their conceptualization and theorizing on engagement than others. Further, engagement was found to be predominantly conceptualized as a multidimensional construct with three common components (behavior, cognition, and affective) shared between domains. Although engagement is prolifically used in different disciplines, it is evident that little shared consensus as to its conceptualization within and between domains exists. Despite this, engagement is foremost seen as a state of being engaged in/with something, which is part of, but should not be confused with, the process of engagement. Behavior, cognition, and affect are important components of engagement and should be specified for each new context.

Examining the initial usability, acceptability and feasibility of a digital mental health intervention for college students in India

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent among college students in India; however, barriers like stigma, treatment accessibility and cost prevent engagement in treatment. Web- and mobile-based, or digital, mental health interventions have been proposed as a potential solution to increasing treatment access. With the ultimate goal of developing an engaging digital mental health intervention for university students in India, the current study sought to understand students' reactions to a culturally and digitally adapted evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for GAD intervention. Specifically, through theatre testing and focus groups with a non-clinical sample of 15 college students in India, the present study examined initial usability, acceptability and feasibility of the "Mana Maali Digital Anxiety Program." Secondary objectives comprised identifying students' perceived barriers to using the program and eliciting recommendations. Results indicated high usability, with the average usability rating ranking in the top 10% of general usability scores. Participants offered actionable changes to improve usability and perceived acceptability among peers struggling with mental health issues. Findings highlight the benefits of offering digital resources that circumvent barriers associated with accessing traditional services. Results build on existing evidence that digital interventions can be a viable means of delivering mental healthcare to large, defined populations.

Assessment of Rwandan diabetic patients' needs and expectations to develop their first diabetes self-management smartphone application (Kir'App)

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of and coping with diabetes is still poor in some communities in Rwanda. While smartphone applications (or apps) have demonstrated improving diabetes self-care, there is no current study on the use of smartphones in the self-management of diabetes in Rwanda.

METHODS

The main objective of this study was to assess the needs and expectations of Rwandan diabetic patients for mobile-health-supported diabetes self-management in order to develop a patient-centred smartphone application (Kir'App).

RESULTS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit study participants at the Rwanda Diabetes Association. Twenty-one patients participated in semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews. Thematic analysis was performed using Mayring's method of qualitative content analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The study included 21 participants with either type 1 (female = 5, male = 6) or type 2 (female = 6, male = 4) diabetes. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 69 years with a mean age of 35 and 29 years, respectively. Eight main themes were identified. These were (a) diabetes education and desired information provision; (b) lack of diabetes knowledge and awareness; (c) need for information in crisis situations; (d) required monitoring and reminder functions; (e) information on nutrition and alcohol consumption; (f) information on physical activity; (g) coping with burden of disease, through social support and network; (h) app features. This study provides recommendations that will be used to design the features of the first Rwandan diabetes self-management smartphone application (Kir'App). The future impact of the application on the Rwandan diabetic patients' self-management capacity and quality of life will be evaluated afterwards.

If we build it, will they come? Issues of engagement with digital health interventions for trauma recovery

Exposure to traumatic events is extremely common with nearly 75% reported to have experienced one or more traumatic events worldwide. A significant number of those exposed will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Globally, trauma-related mental health disorders are the leading cause of global disability burden, and many of these disorders are caused, or worsened, by exposure to wars, natural and human-caused disasters, and other traumatic events. Significant barriers to treatment exist including logistical, geographical, financial, stigma, and other attitudinal challenges. One opportune approach to overcoming these barriers is the provision of mental health interventions via technology that can be readily standardized for wide dissemination of evidence-based care. However, engagement with technology-based interventions is a concern and limited participation and high attrition rates are common. This may be especially true for trauma survivors who often experience symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Engagement is regarded as an essential component of intervention efficacy and has been demonstrated to be associated with more positive clinical outcomes, yet theoretically based research in this area is sparse. This review focuses on the complex issue of engagement with digital health interventions (DHIs). Specifically, we review the conceptualization and measurement of engagement, predictors of engagement, and importantly, the relationship of engagement with intervention effectiveness. Finally, a theoretically based model of engagement is proposed that considers the unique challenges of trauma recovery. This review is not intended to provide a systematic or exhaustive set of recommendations, rather it is intended to highlight the challenges of engagement research including its definition, measurement, and modeling. Future engagement research that includes valid and reliable measures of engagement will enable consistent exploration of engagement predictors that can then inform methods for increasing engagement and, ultimately, intervention effectiveness.