Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health concerns and highlighted the potential for digital platforms and services to provide support beyond the clinical setting. Given patients may have financial hardships, limited workforce capacity, and/or lack of access to care, there is a tremendous gap in mental health care in the United States. Expanding access through telehealth and leveraging technology have the potential in addressing this gap. The aim of this study is to investigate the role and landscape of digital technologies in mental health management and treatment using a mixed-method approach involving both qualitative and quantitative research. Through a four-stage research process, the authors analyzed several factors, including the experience of young adults (1100 participants) with digital mental health tools, preferences and perceived value in tools and services, reasons for abandonment, and increased interest in using telehealth services. The findings suggest young adults who engage in digital mental health tools view these tools as an effective way to decrease obstacles of traditional mental health services and strengthened engagement in the long-term use of the mental health strategies. Consequently, this study highlights the growing presence of digital mental health technologies that include tools, features, and resources as well as the perceived as benefits, value, and usefulness. The findings have implications for building awareness within the behavioral younger generation’s use and beliefs around these tools. Finally, this paper encourages deeper development of multipurpose, evidence-based research and determines the value and efficacy of mental health digital platforms.
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Data Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study will be made available upon reasonable request.
Notes
Suzy is a market research platform that facilitates consumer insights and feedback through real-time surveying, aiming to provide quick and valuable insights for businesses and researchers to inform decision-making processes.
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Funding
This work was supported by State Farm Insurance and Financial Services. Author A. A. has received research support as an intern for State Farm Insurance and Financial Services.
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Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Ariana Andino and Jeanne Koehler. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Arianna Andino, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
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Ethics Approval
The questionnaire and methodology for this study was approved by the Human Research Ethics committee of the RDC State Farm Insurance and Financial Services. Conventional practices to assure participants’ privacy and confidentiality were observed, such as the informed consent process, de-identification of data, and the use of passwords and encryption to secure data.
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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
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Appendices
Appendix 1: Primary Survey
Q1: You shared you use a health or fitness app on your phone. Have you downloaded any of the following apps? [Multiple choice]
-
(a)
Calm
-
(b)
Headspace
-
(c)
BetterHelp
-
(d)
BetterUp
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(e)
Happify
-
(f)
Sleep Cycle or SleepScore
-
(g)
Sanvello
-
(h)
Beautiful Mood
-
(i)
Ten Percent Happier
-
(j)
7 Cups of Tea
-
(k)
Other [open-text option]
-
(l)
None of the above
Q2: After reviewing the definition within the image, indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements. [Scale of agreement]
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Q2.1: “Telehealth is an effective intervention for managing mental health conditions”.
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Q2.2: “Telehealth may play an important role in managing my mental health”.
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Q2.3: “I would be interested in using telehealth to manage my care”.
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Scale of agreement:
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1 – Strongly disagree
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2 – Disagree
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3 – Neutral
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4 – Agree
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5 – Strongly agree
-
Q3: We are interested in your experience with mental health/wellness apps. Have you downloaded apps that focus on your mental health/wellness? [Yes/No selection]
If option Yes was selected:
Q4.1: You shared you downloaded a wellness/mental health app. Think of the one you use the most. What is the most beneficial aspect of using the app? [Open-ended question]
If option No was selected:
Q4.2: You mentioned that you have not downloaded an app that focuses on your mental health/wellness. What is the TOP reason for not downloading this type of app? [Single-selection question]
- (a)
I am concerned about my privacy
- (b)
I haven’t considered using this type of app
- (c)
I prefer to work in person with a professional
- (d)
I don’t want to spend money on an app
- (e)
I don’t think apps would help me
- (f)
I couldn’t find an app that was relevant to me
- (g)
I don’t have much time to spend on an app
- (h)
I have other ways of working on my wellness
- (i)
None of the above
Q5: What is the mental health/wellness app you have found most useful to you? [Open-ended question]
Q6: How interested are you in the following technologies for you and/or your family’s mental health and well-being? [Scale of interest]
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Q6.1: Using a smartphone app for support with mental health and well-being
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Q6.2: Using a smartphone app to keep track of mental health and well-being
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Q6.3: Using a wearable device (e.g., AppleWatch, FitBit) to keep track of mental health and well-being
-
Q6.4: Using video / voice / text chat to talk to a clinician about mental health and well-being
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Q6.5: Using virtual technologies in combination with therapy sessions with clinician
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Q6.6: Using a secure social media platform focused on mental health to interact with others
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Q6.7: Using websites or digital platforms to learn about mental health and well-being
-
Q6.8: Using an online therapy program to learn skills and strategies for mental health and well-being
-
Q6.9: Using virtual reality to connect and interact with a clinician about mental health
-
Scale of interest:
-
1 – Not interested at all
-
2 – Somewhat interested
-
3 – Interested
-
4 – Very interested
-
5 – Extremely interested
-
Q7: There are a variety of technologies that may help with tele-mental health. The following are some features. Please select THREE services/tools that may be most beneficial when selecting a tool to help with emotional health and well-being. [Multiple choice]
-
(a)
Mindfulness/meditation tools
-
(b)
Brain games to improve concentration
-
(c)
Symptom tracking (tracking sleep or mood)
-
(d)
The ability to have regular appointments with a clinician
-
(e)
Distraction tools (drawing, puzzles, music)
-
(f)
Access to a licensed clinician through text-messaging
-
(g)
Information or education about mental health conditions
-
(h)
Tools to focus on the positive events and influences in life
-
(i)
Support from others like me who are like me and are currently managing their stress/mental health.
-
(j)
Link to resources, counseling, or crisis support
-
(k)
Access to a licensed clinician through email
-
(l)
Medication management tools (reminders, side effect management)
-
(m)
Access to a mental health coach/peer who responds with text messages
-
(n)
A chatbot to help you with daily stress
-
(o)
None of the above
-
(p)
Other [open-text option]
Appendix 2: Secondary Survey (Second Stage)
Part 1: Inventory of Digital Tools Used
Q1: In a 1–2-min selfie video, tell us about the digital tools (or apps) you use to help manage your mental health and well-being. In the video, describe:
-
1.
What digital tools are you using to help with your mental well-being?
-
2.
How have those tools been effective for you?
-
3.
What motivates you to use these tools? [Multimedia question]
Q2: Please list out the digital tools (or apps) mentioned in your video that help you manage your mental health and well-being. [Open-ended question]
Q3: What causes you to quit using digital tools focused on your well-being? [Multiple choice]
-
(a)
Costs
-
(b)
Prefer in person interactions
-
(c)
In app advertising/purchases
-
(d)
Time to use the app
-
(e)
Usefulness of app
-
(f)
Privacy concerns
-
(g)
Using too much space on my phone
-
(h)
I lose interest
-
(i)
Other (Tap to Type)
-
(j)
None of the Above
Q4: In 1–2 sentences, tell us more about your selections in the previous question. What causes you to quit using digital tools focused on your well-being? [Open-ended question]
Part 2: An Added Benefit
Q5: Of the following types of insurance providers, who would you trust to provide a digital mental health tool? [Multiple choice]
-
(a)
Health Insurer
-
(b)
Property Insurer (Home/Auto)
-
(c)
Life Insurer
-
(d)
None of the Above
Q6: On a scale of 1–10, where 1 = not at all trustworthy and 10 = very trustworthy, how trustworthy would you find an offer for a free digital health tool from your life insurance company? [Scale of trust]
Q7: Let’s say your life insurance agent reached out to you and offered you a free digital health tool. Record a 1–2-min selfie video telling us about how you might respond to this offer? [Multimedia question]
Part 3: Needs, Wants, Wishes
Q8: As you think about your mental well-being, how else might technology help you? Complete the sentence: When it comes to my mental well-being, I want to be able to… [Open-ended question]
Q9: When it comes to digital mental health tools, what do you wish you were able to do? [Open-ended question]
Q10: In a 1–2-min selfie video, talk about the challenges you have faced getting the mental health services that you need. Walk us through the changes you would make to getting that care. Discuss how technology may play a role in the needed changes. [Multimedia question]
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Andino, A.A., Koehler, J. & Rahman, M. Emerging Connection of the Mental Health and Well-Being Axis with Digital Technology: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study. J. technol. behav. sci. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-024-00396-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-024-00396-9