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Exploring how informed mental health app selection may impact user engagement and satisfaction
Marvin Kopka1,2,3, Erica Camacho1, Sam Kwon1
1Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
PLOS Digital Health
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Mental health app engagement is a challenge, but databases like MIND can improve user retention. This study shows MIND helps users find apps, potentially boosting long-term satisfaction and adherence.
Area of Science:
- Digital health
- Mental health technology
- User engagement studies
Background:
- Mental health app use is increasing, offering improved treatment accessibility.
- Low user engagement poses a significant challenge to the effectiveness of mental health apps.
- The M-health Index and Navigation Database (MIND) was developed to enhance user engagement and autonomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors influencing engagement with mental health apps.
- To explore the impact of the MIND database on user engagement with selected mental health apps.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal online survey was conducted over six weeks.
- Participants used MIND to find mental health apps before completing surveys.
- Quantitative analysis of demographic, technology, healthcare access, and app-specific data was performed.
Main Results:
- Cost, condition support, and app features were primary selection factors; privacy and clinical evidence were least prioritized.
- Engagement with the top ten selected apps decreased significantly over time (43% by week two, 22% by week six).
- Despite overall engagement decline, MIND implementation showed potential for sustained user involvement.
Conclusions:
- Mental health app engagement remains a critical issue requiring innovative solutions.
- Databases like MIND can play a vital role in improving user engagement and satisfaction with digital mental health tools.
- Educational tools and structured approaches, such as MIND, may help to bolster sustained engagement with mental health apps.
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