How to culturally adapt mental mHealth apps: lessons from an Australian Arabic-speaking community survey

Culturally and religiously responsive mental mobile health (mHealth) apps may improve access to and acceptability of mental health support among migrant communities; however, evidence to inform their design remains limited.

This formative study investigated mental health perceptions, digital health information-seeking, and mental mHealth app use among first-generation Arabic-speaking migrants in Australia, with the aim of informing culturally adapted mental mHealth app design.

An online survey was conducted among 219 first-generation Arabic-speaking migrants in Australia (aged 18-75 years), recruited from non-clinical community settings. The survey assessed attitudes toward mental health, awareness and use of mental mHealth apps, acceptance of app-based support, and desired features. Open-ended questions provided qualitative insights into cultural and religious preferences.

Strong cultural and religious influences on mental health perceptions were observed, including high agreement regarding the role of divine will and religious practices. While most participants (76.3%) used the internet to seek mental health information, awareness (45.7%) and use (6.4%) of mental mHealth apps were low. Participants expressed high acceptance of mental mHealth apps that are free, user-friendly, confidential, and professionally developed. Highly valued features included culturally informed behavioural activation, mindfulness and religious practices (such as Dua'a and Tadabbur), and educational content incorporating Quranic verses and prophetic narratives. Information on crisis services and local multicultural mental health providers was also considered essential. Qualitative findings supported the inclusion of faith-based community features and religious motivational content, with several participants emphasising the importance of optional rather than mandatory religious elements.

There is a clear demand for mental mHealth apps tailored to the cultural and religious needs of first-generation Arabic-speaking migrants in Australia. Formative evidence from this study highlights the importance of culturally and religiously congruent design, practical support features, confidentiality, and flexibility to accommodate individual preferences when developing mental mHealth interventions.