Designing an Internet Intervention for Emerging Adults Who Experience Troubled Relationships

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Relationship Science

Background:

• Emerging adults frequently experience challenges in intimate partner relationships.
• Internet-based interventions offer a scalable approach to address these relationship issues.
• Theoretical frameworks are crucial for designing effective digital mental health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of the Internet Intervention Model (IIM) in designing a theoretically-grounded online intervention.
• To detail the process of addressing key components of the IIM through six fundamental questions.
• To highlight the integration of the Theory of Emerging Adulthood and the Theory of Narrative Identity in the intervention's design.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Internet Intervention Model (IIM) as an organizing framework.
• Addressed six core questions related to IIM components during the design phase.
• Grounded the intervention design in established psychological theories.

Main Results:

• A structured approach was employed to design an internet-based intervention.
• Specific design decisions were made based on the IIM framework and theoretical underpinnings.
• The intervention design explicitly incorporates principles from the Theory of Emerging Adulthood and the Theory of Narrative Identity.

Conclusions:

• The IIM provides a robust framework for developing theoretically-based internet interventions.
• Integrating developmental and identity theories can enhance the relevance and efficacy of digital health tools for emerging adults.
• This systematic design process facilitates the creation of targeted and evidence-informed online relationship support.