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Digital Interventions for Reducing Loneliness and Depression in Korean College Students: Mixed Methods Evaluation
1Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
JMIR Formative Research
|September 12, 2024
Summary
Digital mental health apps show potential for college students experiencing loneliness and depression post-COVID-19. While not statistically significant, qualitative feedback suggests user satisfaction and areas for improvement in these digital interventions.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health
- Digital Health Interventions
- Higher Education
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic increased loneliness and depression in college students.
- Digital interventions like Woebot and Happify show promise for symptom relief.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of Woebot and Happify.
- Assess their impact on loneliness and depression in college students post-pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods approach over 4 months with 27 college students (aged 18-27).
- Random assignment to Woebot, Happify, or Bondee (control).
- Utilized UCLA Loneliness Scale, PHQ-9, user feedback, and interviews.
Main Results:
- Observed mean decreases in loneliness and depression across groups.
- No statistically significant differences between intervention and control groups.
- Qualitative data revealed user satisfaction and suggestions for personalization.
Conclusions:
- Digital interventions hold potential for college student mental health.
- Findings contribute to research on accessible digital mental health tools.
- Further research with larger, diverse samples is recommended for optimization.
