%0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 21 %N 2 %P e11711 %T How Do Adolescents Use Electronic Diaries? A Mixed-Methods Study Among Adolescents With Depressive Symptoms %A Metsäranta,Kiki %A Kurki,Marjo %A Valimaki,Maritta %A Anttila,Minna %+ Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Hoitotieteen laitos, Joukahaisenkatu 3-5, Turun yliopisto, 20014, Finland, 358 456716156, kianme@utu.fi %K adolescent %K depression %K electronic diary %K mental health %K mobile phone %K outpatient care %D 2019 %7 20.02.2019 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Depression in adolescence is common. Less than half of the adolescents with depression receive mental health care; furthermore, treatment tends to be suspended, and its success rates are low. There is a need for these adolescents to have a safe place to share their thoughts. Studies have shown that writing may be a useful treatment method for people with mental health problems. Objective: This study aims to describe the use of an electronic diary (e-diary) among adolescents with depressive symptoms. Methods: This paper describes a substudy of a randomized controlled trial. We used a mixed-methods approach to understand the way in which e-diaries were used by participants in the intervention under the randomized controlled trial. Data were collected during 2008-2010 at 2 university hospitals in Finland. Study participants (N=89) were 15-17-year-old adolescents who had been referred to an adolescent outpatient psychiatric clinic due to depressive symptoms. Participants were instructed to use the e-diary at least once a week to describe their thoughts, feelings, and moods. The content of the e-diary data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis. Results: Overall, 53% (47/89) of the adolescents used the e-diary. Most of them (39/47, 83%) logged into the program during the first week, and about one-third (19/47, 40%) logged into the e-diary weekly as suggested. The number of words used in the e-diary per each log ranged between 8 and 1442 words. The 3 topics most often written about in the e-diary were related to mental health problems (mental disorder), social interaction (relationship), and one’s own development (identity). Conclusions: An e-diary may be a usable tool to reflect experiences and thoughts, especially among adolescents who have signs of depression. The results of this study can be used to develop user-centered electronic health applications that allow users to express their own thoughts and experiences in ways other than systematic mood monitoring. %M 30785408 %R 10.2196/11711 %U http://www.jmir.org/2019/2/e11711/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/11711 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30785408 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 21 %N 2 %P e11128 %T Design and Delivery Features That May Improve the Use of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Anxiety: A Realist Literature Synthesis With a Persuasive Systems Design Perspective %A Radomski,Ashley D %A Wozney,Lori %A McGrath,Patrick %A Huguet,Anna %A Hartling,Lisa %A Dyson,Michele P %A Bennett,Kathryn %A Newton,Amanda S %+ Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 3-526 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada, 1 780 248 5581, mandi.newton@ualberta.ca %K internet %K cognitive behavioral therapy %K computer-assisted therapy %K persuasive communication %K anxiety %K children %K adolescents %K review %K adherence %D 2019 %7 05.02.2019 %9 Review %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a persuasive system as its design combines therapeutic content, technological features, and interactions between the user and the program to reduce anxiety for children and adolescents. How iCBT is designed and delivered differs across programs. Although iCBT is considered an effective approach for treating child and adolescent anxiety, rates of program use (eg, module completion) are highly variable for reasons that are not clear. As the extent to which users complete a program can impact anxiety outcomes, understanding what iCBT design and delivery features improve program use is critical for optimizing treatment effects. Objective: The objectives of this study were to use a realist synthesis approach to explore the design and delivery features of iCBT for children and adolescents with anxiety as described in the literature and to examine their relationship to program use outcomes. Methods: A search of published and gray literature was conducted up to November 2017. Prespecified inclusion criteria identified research studies, study protocols, and program websites on iCBT for child and adolescent anxiety. Literature was critically appraised for relevance and methodological rigor. The persuasive systems design (PSD) model, a comprehensive framework for designing and evaluating persuasive systems, was used to guide data extraction. iCBT program features were grouped under 4 PSD categories—Primary task support, Dialogue support, System credibility support, and Social support. iCBT design (PSD Mechanisms) and delivery features (Context of use) were linked to program use (Outcomes) using meta-ethnographic methods; these relationships were described as Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations. For our configurations, we identified key PSD features and delivery contexts that generated moderate-to-high program use based on moderate-to-high quality evidence found across multiple iCBT programs. Results: A total of 44 documents detailing 10 iCBT programs were included. Seven iCBT programs had at least one document that scored high for relevance; most studies were of moderate-to-high methodological rigor. We developed 5 configurations that highlighted 8 PSD features (Tailoring, Personalization [Primary task supports]; Rewards, Reminders, Social role [Dialogue supports]; and Trustworthiness, Expertise, Authority [System credibility supports]) associated with moderate-to-high program use. Important features of delivery Context were adjunct support (a face-to-face, Web- or email-based communications component) and whether programs targeted the prevention or treatment of anxiety. Incorporating multiple PSD features may have additive or synergistic effects on program use. Conclusions: The Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations we developed suggest that, when delivered with adjunct support, certain PSD features contribute to moderate-to-high use of iCBT prevention and treatment programs for children and adolescents with anxiety. Standardization of the definition and measurement of program use, formal testing of individual and combined PSD features, and use of real-world design and testing methods are important next steps to improving how we develop and deliver increasingly useful treatments to target users. %M 30720436 %R 10.2196/11128 %U https://www.jmir.org/2019/2/e11128/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/11128 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30720436 %0 Journal Article %@ 1929-0748 %I JMIR Publications %V 8 %N 2 %P e11629 %T Identifying Positive Adaptive Pathways in Low-Income Families in Singapore: Protocol for Sequential, Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Design %A Goh,Esther Chor Leng %A Chong,Wan Har %A Mohanty,Jayashree %A Law,Evelyn Chung Ning %A Hsu,Chin-Ying Stephen %A De Mol,Jan %A Kuczynski,Leon %+ Department of Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, AS3 Level 4, Singapore, 117570, Singapore, 65 65163811, swkegcl@nus.edu.sg %K low-income families %K family agency %K adaptive pathways %K trajectories %D 2019 %7 01.02.2019 %9 Protocol %J JMIR Res Protoc %G English %X Background: This study aims to examine the adaptive process of children and mothers from multistressed low-income families in Singapore. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap left by existing poverty studies, which are predominately risk focused. Through a sequential longitudinal mixed-methods design, we will differentiate children and mothers who demonstrate varied social, developmental, and mental health trajectories of outcomes. Through utilizing the Latent Growth Curve Model (LGCM), we aim to detect the development and changes of the positive Family Agency and adaptive capacities of these families over time. The construct of Family Agency is underpinned by the theoretical guidance from the Social Relational Theory, which examines child agency, parent agency, relational agency, and the interactions among these members. It is hypothesized that positive Family Agency within low-income families may lead to better outcomes. The key research questions include whether the extent of positive Family Agency mediates the relationship among financial stress, resource utilization, home environment, and parental stress. Objective: The study elucidates the Family Agency construct through interviews with mother-child dyads. It also aims to understand how financial stress and resources are differentially related to home environment, parent stress, and parent and child outcomes. Methods: In phase 1, 60 mother-child dyads from families receiving government financial assistance and with children aged between 7 and 12 years will be recruited. In-depth interviews will be conducted separately with mothers and children. On the basis of 120 interviews, a measurement for the construct of Family Agency will be developed and will be pilot tested. In phase 2a, a longitudinal survey will be conducted over 3 time points from 800 mother-child dyads. The 3 waves of survey results will be analyzed by LGCM to identify the trajectories of adaptation pathways of these low-income families. In addition, 10 focus groups with up to 15 participants in each will be conducted to validate the LGCM results. Results: This project is funded by the Social Science Research Thematic Grant (Singapore). The recruitment of 60 mother-child dyads has been achieved. Data collection will commence once the amendment to the protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board. Analysis of phase 1 data will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019, and the first set of results is expected to be submitted for publication by the second quarter of 2019. Phase 2 implementation will commence in the second quarter of 2019, and the project end date is in May 2021. Conclusions: Findings from this study can potentially inform social policy and programs as it refines the understanding of low-income families by distinguishing trajectories of adaptive capacities so that policies and interventions can be targeted in enhancing the adaptive pathways of low-income families with children. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/11629 %M 30707101 %R 10.2196/11629 %U http://www.researchprotocols.org/2019/2/e11629/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/11629 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30707101 %0 Journal Article %@ 2292-9495 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 1 %P e10106 %T Designing Online Interventions in Consideration of Young People’s Concepts of Well-Being: Exploratory Qualitative Study %A Winsall,Megan %A Orlowski,Simone %A Vogl,Gillian %A Blake,Victoria %A Nicholas,Mariesa %A Antezana,Gaston %A Schrader,Geoffrey %A Bidargaddi,Niranjan %+ Personal Health Informatics, Flinders University, 1284 South Road, Clovelly Park, SA 5024, Australia, 61 872218842, niranjan.bidargaddi@flinders.edu.au %K well-being %K youth %K online intervention %K participatory design %K technology %D 2019 %7 30.01.2019 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Hum Factors %G English %X Background: A key challenge in developing online well-being interventions for young people is to ensure that they are based on theory and reflect adolescent concepts of well-being. Objective: This exploratory qualitative study aimed to understand young people’s concepts of well-being in Australia. Methods: Data were collected via workshops at five sites across rural and metropolitan sites with 37 young people from 15 to 21 years of age, inclusive. Inductive, data-driven coding was then used to analyze transcripts and artifacts (ie, written or image data). Results: Young adults’ conceptions of well-being were diverse, personally contextualized, and shaped by ongoing individual experiences related to physical and mental health, along with ecological accounts acknowledging the role of family, community, and social factors. Key emerging themes were (1) positive emotions and enjoyable activities, (2) physical wellness, (3) relationships and social connectedness, (4) autonomy and control, (5) goals and purpose, (6) being engaged and challenged, and (7) self-esteem and confidence. Participants had no difficulty describing actions that led to positive well-being; however, they only considered their own well-being at times of stress. Conclusions: In this study, young people appeared to think mostly about their well-being at times of stress. The challenge for online interventions is to encourage young people to monitor well-being prior to it becoming compromised. A more proactive focus that links the overall concept of well-being to everyday, concrete actions and activities young people engage in, and that encourages the creation of routine good habits, may lead to better outcomes from online well-being interventions. %M 30698537 %R 10.2196/10106 %U http://humanfactors.jmir.org/2019/1/e10106/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/10106 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30698537 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 21 %N 1 %P e11528 %T Use of the Principles of Design Thinking to Address Limitations of Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth: Viewpoint %A Scholten,Hanneke %A Granic,Isabela %+ Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE, Netherlands, 31 24 3612527, h.scholten@bsi.ru.nl %K anxiety %K depression %K design thinking %K e-mental health %K youth %D 2019 %7 14.01.2019 %9 Viewpoint %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Numerous reviews and meta-analyses have indicated the enormous potential of technology to improve the appeal, effectiveness, cost, and reach of mental health interventions. However, the promise of digital mental health interventions for youth has not yet been realized. Significant challenges have been repeatedly identified, including engagement, fidelity, and the lack of personalization. We introduce the main tenets of design thinking and explain how they can specifically address these challenges, with an entirely new toolbox of mindsets and practices. In addition, we provide examples of a new wave of digital interventions to demonstrate the applicability of design thinking to a wide range of intervention goals. In the future, it will be critical for scientists and clinicians to implement their scientific standards, methods, and review outlets to evaluate the contribution of design thinking to the next iteration of digital mental health interventions for youth. %R 10.2196/11528 %U https://www.jmir.org/2019/1/e11528/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/11528 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-9279 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 4 %P e11249 %T How LGBT+ Young People Use the Internet in Relation to Their Mental Health and Envisage the Use of e-Therapy: Exploratory Study %A Lucassen,Mathijs %A Samra,Rajvinder %A Iacovides,Ioanna %A Fleming,Theresa %A Shepherd,Matthew %A Stasiak,Karolina %A Wallace,Louise %+ School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom, 44 1908652987, mathijs.lucassen@open.ac.uk %K sexuality %K LGBT %K transgender %K depression %K adolescent %K psychotherapy %K mental health %K computer games %K computerized CBT %K e-therapy %D 2018 %7 21.12.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Serious Games %G English %X Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and other young people diverse in terms of their sexuality and gender (LGBT+) are at an elevated risk of mental health problems such as depression. Factors such as isolation and stigma mean that accessing mental health services can be particularly challenging for LGBT+ young people, and previous studies have highlighted that many prefer to access psychological support on the Web. Research from New Zealand has demonstrated promising effectiveness and acceptability for an LGBT+ focused, serious game–based, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program, Rainbow Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts (SPARX). However, there has been limited research conducted in the area of electronic therapy (e-therapy) for LGBT+ people. Objective: This study aimed to explore how and why LGBT+ young people use the internet to support their mental health. This study also sought to explore LGBT+ young people’s and professionals’ views about e-therapies, drawing on the example of Rainbow SPARX. Methods: A total of 3 focus groups and 5 semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 LGBT+ young people (aged 15-22 years) and 6 professionals (4 health and social care practitioners and 2 National Health Service commissioners) in England and Wales. A general inductive approach was used to analyze data. Results: LGBT+ youth participants considered that the use of the internet was ubiquitous, and it was valuable for support and information. However, they also thought that internet use could be problematic, and they highlighted certain internet safety and personal security considerations. They drew on a range of gaming experiences and expectations to inform their feedback about Rainbow SPARX. Their responses focused on the need for this e-therapy program to be updated and refined. LGBT+ young people experienced challenges related to stigma and mistreatment, and they suggested that strategies addressing their common challenges should be included in e-therapy content. Professional study participants also emphasized the need to update and refine Rainbow SPARX. Moreover, professionals highlighted some of the issues associated with e-therapies needing to demonstrate effectiveness and challenges associated with health service commissioning processes. Conclusions: LGBT+ young people use the internet to obtain support and access information, including information related to their mental health. They are interested in LGBT-specific e-therapies; however, these must be in a contemporary format, engaging, and adequately acknowledge the experiences of LGBT+ young people. %M 30578194 %R 10.2196/11249 %U http://games.jmir.org/2018/4/e11249/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/11249 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30578194 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 12 %P e12244 %T The Use of Social Networking Sites in Mental Health Interventions for Young People: Systematic Review %A Ridout,Brad %A Campbell,Andrew %+ Cyberpsychology Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, City Road, Sydney, 2006, Australia, 61 2 9351 7089, brad.ridout@sydney.edu.au %K social media %K social networking %K mental health %K social support %K support groups %D 2018 %7 18.12.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: The onset of mental health problems peaks between adolescence and young adulthood; however, young people face barriers to treatment and are often reluctant to seek professional help. Many are instead seeking support and information regarding their mental health via the Web, especially via social networking sites (SNSs), and hence, there is a promising opportunity to use SNSs to deliver or integrate with youth-focused online mental health interventions. Previous reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of SNSs for specific disorders in young people; however, none of the reviews have covered the breadth of SNS–based youth mental health interventions available across all mental health issues. Objective: This review aimed to systematically identify available evidence regarding the use of SNS–based interventions to support the mental health of young people aged up to 25 years, to evaluate their effectiveness, suitability, and safety, and identify gaps and opportunities for future research. Methods: The PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and exploded keywords and phrases. Retrieved abstracts (n=974) were double screened, yielding 235 articles for screening at the full-text level. Of these, 9 articles met the review inclusion criteria. Given the small number of studies, and the variety of outcome measures used, a quantitative meta-analysis was not possible. Results: The 9 articles (quantitative studies, qualitative studies, and descriptions of the iterative design process) covered 5 separate interventions. Of the 5 interventions, 2 interventions used purpose-built platforms based on the moderated online social therapy (MOST) model, 2 used Facebook, and 1 evaluated a purpose-built mobile app. The 2 MOST interventions targeted specific mental health issues (depression and psychosis), whereas the others focused on improving mental health literacy, social support, and general well-being. Only 3 quantitative studies were identified, and all used a pre-post design (without a control group) to establish proof of concept. Of the outcome variables assessed, there were significant improvements in mental health knowledge and number of depressive symptoms but no improvement in anxiety or psychosis symptoms. Acceptability of and engagement with the SNS platforms were generally high, as were perceptions of usefulness and safety. Moderation by clinical experts was identified as a key component of the more successful interventions. When offered a choice, users showed a preference for mobile apps over Web-based interfaces. Conclusions: The evidence reviewed suggests young people find SNS–based interventions highly usable, engaging, and supportive. However, future studies need to address the current lack of high-quality evidence for their efficacy in reducing mental health symptoms. Given young people are already turning to SNSs to engage in knowledge seeking and peer-to-peer support, SNS–based youth mental health interventions provide an opportunity to address some of the barriers young people face in accessing qualified mental health support and information. %M 30563811 %R 10.2196/12244 %U https://www.jmir.org/2018/12/e12244/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/12244 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30563811 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 4 %P e10067 %T Desired Features of a Digital Technology Tool for Self-Management of Well-Being in a Nonclinical Sample of Young People: Qualitative Study %A Babbage,Camilla %A Jackson,Georgina Margaret %A Nixon,Elena %+ Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, C21, Institute of Mental Health, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, United Kingdom, 44 115 823 0428, Elena.Nixon@nottingham.ac.uk %K adolescence %K young people %K well-being %K self-management %K digital technology %K E-health %K coping strategies %K mental health, help-seeking %K qualitative %D 2018 %7 18.12.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Adaptive coping behaviors can improve well-being for young people experiencing life stressors, while maladaptive coping can increase vulnerability to mental health problems in youth and into adulthood. Young people could potentially benefit from the use of digital technology tools to enhance their coping skills and overcome barriers in help-seeking behaviors. However, little is known about the desired digital technology use for self-management of well-being among young people in the general population. Objective: This is a small, qualitative study aimed at exploring what young people desire from digital technology tools for the self-management of their well-being. Methods: Young people aged 12-18 years were recruited from the general community to take part in semistructured interviews. Recorded data from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: In total, 14 participants were recruited and completed the study, with a mean age of 14.6 years (female n=3). None of the participants reported using any digital tools specifically designed to manage well-being. However, as indicated through the emerged themes, young people used digital technology to reduce their stress levels and manage their mood, mainly through games, music, and videos. Overall, identified themes showed that young people were keen on using such tools and desired certain facets and features of an ideal tool for self-management of well-being. Themes related to these facets indicated what young people felt a tool should do to improve well-being, including being immersed in a stress-free environment, being uplifting, and that such a tool would direct them to resources based on their needs. The feature-based themes suggested that young people wanted the tool to be flexible and enable engagement with others while also being sensitive to privacy. Conclusions: The young people interviewed in this study did not report engaging with digital technology specialized to improving well-being but instead used media already accessed in their daily lives in order to self-manage their psychological states. As a result, the variety of coping strategies reported and digital tools used was limited to the resources that were already being used for recreational and social purposes. These findings contribute to the scarce research into young people’s preferred use of digital technology tools for the self-management of their well-being. However, this was a small-scale study and the current participant sample is not representative of the general youth population. Therefore, the results are only tentative and warrant further investigation. %M 30563820 %R 10.2196/10067 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/4/e10067/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/10067 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30563820 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 9 %P e259 %T Using New and Innovative Technologies to Assess Clinical Stage in Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Services: Evaluation Study %A Ospina-Pinillos,Laura %A Davenport,Tracey %A Iorfino,Frank %A Tickell,Ashleigh %A Cross,Shane %A Scott,Elizabeth M %A Hickie,Ian B %+ Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Shops 1-3, 66-70 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, Sydney,, Australia, 61 028 627 6946, laura.ospinapinillos@sydney.edu.au %K staging model %K mental health %K primary health care %K telemedicine %K symptom assessment health service reform %D 2018 %7 10.09.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Globally there is increasing recognition that new strategies are required to reduce disability due to common mental health problems. As 75% of mental health and substance use disorders emerge during the teenage or early adulthood years, these strategies need to be readily accessible to young people. When considering how to provide such services at scale, new and innovative technologies show promise in augmenting traditional clinic-based services. Objective: The aim of this study was to test new and innovative technologies to assess clinical stage in early intervention youth mental health services using a prototypic online system known as the Mental Health eClinic (MHeC). Methods: The online assessment within the MHeC was compared directly against traditional clinician assessment within 2 Sydney-based youth-specific mental health services (headspace Camperdown and headspace Campbelltown). A total of 204 young people were recruited to the study. Eligible participants completed both face-to-face and online assessments, which were randomly allocated and counterbalanced at a 1-to-3 ratio. These assessments were (1) a traditional 45- to 60-minute headspace face-to-face assessment performed by a Youth Access Clinician and (2) an approximate 60-minute online assessment (including a self-report Web-based survey, immediate dashboard of results, and a video visit with a clinician). All assessments were completed within a 2-week timeframe from initial presentation. Results: Of the 72 participants who completed the study, 71% (51/72) were female and the mean age was 20.4 years (aged 16 to 25 years); 68% (49/72) of participants were recruited from headspace Camperdown and the remaining 32% (23/72) from headspace Campbelltown. Interrater agreement of participants’ stage, as determined after face-to-face assessment or online assessment, demonstrated fair agreement (kappa=.39, P<.001) with concordance in 68% of cases (49/72). Among the discordant cases, those who were allocated to a higher stage by online raters were more likely to report a past history of mental health disorders (P=.001), previous suicide planning (P=.002), and current cannabis misuse (P=.03) compared to those allocated to a lower stage. Conclusions: The MHeC presents a new and innovative method for determining key clinical service parameters. It has the potential to be adapted to varied settings in which young people are connected with traditional clinical services and assist in providing the right care at the right time. %M 30201602 %R 10.2196/jmir.9966 %U http://www.jmir.org/2018/9/e259/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9966 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30201602 %0 Journal Article %@ 2152-7202 %I JMIR Publications %V 10 %N 3 %P e10655 %T Phase I of the Detecting and Evaluating Childhood Anxiety and Depression Effectively in Subspecialties (DECADES) Study: Development of an Integrated Mental Health Care Model for Pediatric Gastroenterology %A Hullmann,Stephanie E %A Keller,Stacy A %A Lynch,Dustin O %A Jenkins,Kelli %A Moore,Courtney %A Cockrum,Brandon %A Wiehe,Sarah E %A Carroll,Aaron E %A Bennett Jr,William E %+ Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 W 10th Street, HITS Building, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States, 1 3172786928, webjr@iu.edu %K qualitative research %K patient-reported outcomes %K depression %K anxiety %D 2018 %7 10.09.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Participat Med %G English %X Background: Children with gastrointestinal symptoms have a very high rate of anxiety and depression. Rapid identification of comorbid anxiety and depression is essential for effective treatment of a wide variety of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Objective: The objective of our study was to determine patient and parent attitudes toward depression, anxiety, and mental health screening during gastroenterology (GI) visits and to determine patient and parent preferences for communication of results and referral to mental health providers after a positive screen. Methods: We augmented standard qualitative group session methods with patient-centered design methods to assess patient and parent preferences. We used a variety of specific design methods in these sessions, including card sorting, projective methods, experience mapping, and constructive methods. Results: Overall, 11 families (11 patients and 14 parents) participated in 2 group sessions. Overall, patients and their parents found integrated mental health care to be acceptable in the subspecialty setting. Patients’ primary concerns were for the privacy and confidentiality of their screening results. Patients and their parents emphasized the importance of mental health services not interfering with the GI visit and collaboration between the GI physician, psychologist, and primary care provider. Conclusions: Patients and their families are open to integrated mental health care in the pediatric subspecialty clinic. The next phase of the DECADES study will translate patient and parent preferences into an integrated mental health care system and test its efficacy in the pediatric GI office. %R 10.2196/10655 %U http://jopm.jmir.org/2018/3/e10655/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/10655 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-9279 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 3 %P e13 %T Indigenous Adolescents’ Perception of an eMental Health Program (SPARX): Exploratory Qualitative Assessment %A Shepherd,Matthew %A Merry,Sally %A Lambie,Ian %A Thompson,Andrew %+ School of Counselling, Human Services and Social Work, Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, Gate 4, 60 Epsom Ave, Epsom, Auckland,, New Zealand, 64 9 623 8899 ext 46368, m.shepherd@auckland.ac.nz %K Māori youth %K indigenous %K depression %K computerized CBT %K consumer views %K serious games %K virtual worlds %D 2018 %7 05.07.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Serious Games %G English %X Background: Depression is a major health issue for indigenous adolescents, yet there is little research conducted about the efficacy and development of psychological interventions for these populations. In New Zealand there is little known about taitamariki (Māori adolescent) opinions regarding the development and effectiveness of psychological interventions, let alone computerized cognitive behavioral therapy. SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) is a computerized intervention developed in New Zealand to treat mild-to-moderate depression in young people. Users are engaged in a virtual 3D environment where they must complete missions to progress to the next level. In each level there are challenges and puzzles to completeIt was designed to appeal to all young people in New Zealand and incorporates several images and concepts that are specifically Māori. Objective: The aim was to conduct an exploratory qualitative study of Māori adolescents’ opinions about the SPARX program. This is a follow-up to an earlier study where taitamariki opinions were gathered to inform the design of a computerized cognitive behavior therapy program. Methods: Taitamariki were interviewed using a semistructured interview once they had completed work with the SPARX resource. Six participants agreed to complete the interview; the interviews ranged from 10 to 30 minutes. Results: Taitamariki participating in the interviews found SPARX to be helpful. The Māori designs from the SPARX game were appropriate and useful, and the ability to customize the SPARX characters with Māori designs was beneficial and appeared to enhance cultural identity. These helped young people to feel engaged with SPARX which, in turn, assisted with the acquisition of relaxation and cognitive restructuring skills. Overall, using SPARX led to improved mood and increased levels of hope for the participants. In some instances, SPARX was used by wider whānau (Māori word for family) members with reported beneficial effect. Conclusions: Overall, this small group of Māori adolescents reported that cultural designs made it easier for them to engage with SPARX, which, in turn, led to an improvement in their mood and gave them hope. Further research is needed about how SPARX could be best used to support the families of these young people. %M 29980495 %R 10.2196/games.8752 %U http://games.jmir.org/2018/3/e13/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/games.8752 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980495 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 7 %P e234 %T Large-Scale Dissemination of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth Anxiety: Feasibility and Acceptability Study %A March,Sonja %A Spence,Susan H %A Donovan,Caroline L %A Kenardy,Justin A %+ Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield, QLD, 4300, Australia, 61 34704434, sonja.march@usq.edu.au %K adolescent %K child %K anxiety disorders %K cognitive behavioral therapy %K eHealth %K public health %D 2018 %7 04.07.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for child and adolescent anxiety has demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials, but it has not yet been examined when disseminated as a public health intervention. If effective, iCBT programs could be a promising first-step, low-intensity intervention that can be easily accessed by young people. Objective: The objective of our study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a publicly available online, self-help iCBT program (BRAVE Self-Help) through exploration of program adherence, satisfaction, and changes in anxiety. Methods: This study was an open trial involving the analysis of data collected from 4425 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years who presented with elevated anxiety at registration (baseline) for the iCBT program that was delivered through an open-access portal with no professional support. We assessed the program satisfaction via a satisfaction scale and measured adherence via the number of completed sessions. In addition, anxiety severity was assessed via scores on the Children’s Anxiety Scale, 8-item (CAS-8) at four time points: baseline, Session 4, Session 7, and Session 10. Results: Participants reported moderate satisfaction with the program and 30% completed three or more sessions. Statistically significant reductions in anxiety were evident across all time points for both children and adolescents. For users who completed six or more sessions, there was an average 4-point improvement in CAS-8 scores (Cohen d=0.87, children; Cohen d=0.81, adolescents), indicating a moderate to large effect size. Among participants who completed nine sessions, 57.7% (94/163) achieved recovery into nonelevated levels of anxiety and 54.6% (89/163) achieved statistically reliable reductions in anxiety. Conclusions: Participant feedback was positive, and the program was acceptable to most young people. Furthermore, significant and meaningful reductions in anxiety symptoms were achieved by many children and adolescents participating in this completely open-access and self-directed iCBT program. Our results suggest that online self-help CBT may offer a feasible and acceptable first step for service delivery to children and adolescents with anxiety. %M 29973338 %R 10.2196/jmir.9211 %U http://www.jmir.org/2018/7/e234/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9211 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29973338 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 2 %P e48 %T eMental Healthcare Technologies for Anxiety and Depression in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review of Studies Reporting Implementation Outcomes %A Wozney,Lori %A McGrath,Patrick J %A Gehring,Nicole D %A Bennett,Kathryn %A Huguet,Anna %A Hartling,Lisa %A Dyson,Michele P %A Soleimani,Amir %A Newton,Amanda S %+ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, 3-526 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada, 1 780 248 5581, mandi.newton@ualberta.ca %K eHealth %K mental health %K implementation science %K healthcare planning %K organizational innovation %K decision-making %K healthcare organizations %D 2018 %7 26.06.2018 %9 Review %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Anxiety disorders and depression are frequent conditions in childhood and adolescence. eMental healthcare technologies may improve access to services, but their uptake within health systems is limited. Objective: The objective of this review was to examine and describe how the implementation of eMental healthcare technologies for anxiety disorders and depression in children and adolescents has been studied. Methods: We conducted a search of 5 electronic databases and gray literature. Eligible studies were those that assessed an eMental healthcare technology for treating or preventing anxiety or depression, included children or adolescents (<18 years), or their parents or healthcare providers and reported findings on technology implementation. The methodological quality of studies was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Outcomes of interest were based on 8 implementation outcomes: acceptability (satisfaction with a technology), adoption (technology uptake and utilization), appropriateness (“fitness for purpose”), cost (financial impact of technology implementation), feasibility (extent to which a technology was successfully used), fidelity (implementation as intended), penetration (“spread” or “reach” of the technology), and sustainability (maintenance or integration of a technology within a healthcare service). For extracted implementation outcome data, we coded favorable ratings on measurement scales as “positive results” and unfavorable ratings on measurement scales as “negative results.” Those studies that reported both positive and negative findings were coded as having “mixed results.” Results: A total of 46 studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were rated as very good to excellent in methodological quality. These studies investigated eMental healthcare technologies for anxiety (n=23), depression (n=18), or both anxiety and depression (n=5). Studies of technologies for anxiety evaluated the following: (1) acceptability (78%) reported high levels of satisfaction, (2) adoption (43%) commonly reported positive results, and (3) feasibility (43%) reported mixed results. Studies of technologies for depression evaluated the following: (1) appropriateness (56%) reported moderate helpfulness and (2) acceptability (50%) described a mix of both positive and negative findings. Studies of technologies designed to aid anxiety and depression commonly reported mixed experiences with acceptability and adoption and positive findings for appropriateness of the technologies for treatment. Across all studies, cost, fidelity, and penetration and sustainability were the least measured implementation outcomes. Conclusions: Acceptability of eMental healthcare technology is high among users and is the most commonly investigated implementation outcome. Perceptions of the appropriateness and adoption of eMental healthcare technology were varied. Implementation research that identifies, evaluates, and reports on costs, sustainability, and fidelity to clinical guidelines is crucial for making high-quality eMental healthcare available to children and adolescents. %M 29945858 %R 10.2196/mental.9655 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/2/e48/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.9655 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29945858 %0 Journal Article %@ 2561-326X %I JMIR Publications %V 2 %N 1 %P e12 %T Investigating Associations Between Changes in Mobile Phone Use and Emotions Using the Experience Sampling Method: Pilot Study %A Roggeveen,Suzanne %A van Os,Jim %A Bemelmans,Kelly %A van Poll,Mikal %A Lousberg,Richel %+ Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Vijverdalseweg 1, Maastricht,, Netherlands, 31 43 3884111, s.roggeveen@maastrichtuniversity.nl %K mobile phone %K experience sampling method %K emotions %K affect %K concentration %D 2018 %7 18.06.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Formativ Res %G English %X Background: The use of mobile phones has become, especially for young people, an integrated part of everyday life. Using the experience sampling method (ESM) may provide further insight on the association between mobile phone use and mental health. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine associations between mobile phone use and subtle changes in mental state. Methods: The ESM-based PsyMate app was installed on the mobile phones of 2 healthy 20-year-old participants. Over a period of 3 months, participants rated their mental states at 10 semirandom moments in the flow of daily life. Each assessment included present state emotions, environmental circumstances, and phone use. Results: Multilevel regression analyses indicated that an increase in mobile phone use was associated with a small increase in negative affect (particularly feeling bored and feeling lonely; P<.001) and small decreases in positive affect (P=.002) and concentration (P=.001). Treating the data as 2 separate N=1 studies revealed that the association with negative affect was present in both participants, whereas the associations with positive affect and concentration were evident in only 1 of the 2 participants. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that mobile phone use may be associated with person-specific and group-level changes in emotional state. A larger study is required to study these associations, possible causality, and factors driving underlying heterogeneity in the pattern of associations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03221985; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03221985 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zJnp61Wj) %M 30684428 %R 10.2196/formative.8499 %U http://formative.jmir.org/2018/1/e12/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/formative.8499 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30684428 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 2 %P e10425 %T Mobile Phone Intervention to Reduce Youth Suicide in Rural Communities: Field Test %A Pisani,Anthony R %A Wyman,Peter A %A Gurditta,Kunali %A Schmeelk-Cone,Karen %A Anderson,Carolyn L %A Judd,Emily %+ Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Box PSYC, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States, 1 (585) 275 3644, anthony_pisani@urmc.rochester.edu %K suicide prevention %K school-based program %K text messaging %K school health services %D 2018 %7 31.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year-olds in the United States, with 5% to 8% attempting suicide each year. Suicide risk rises significantly during early adolescence and is higher in rural and underserved communities. School-based universal prevention programs offer a promising way of reducing suicide by providing strategies for emotion regulation and encouraging help-seeking behaviors and youth-adult connectedness. However, such programs frequently run into difficulties in trying to engage a broad range of students. Text messaging is a dominant medium of communication among youths, and studies show both efficacy and uptake in text messaging interventions aimed at adolescents. Text-based interventions may, thus, offer a means for school-based universal prevention programs to engage adolescents who would otherwise be difficult to reach. Objective: We field tested Text4Strength, an automated, interactive text messaging intervention that seeks to reach a broad range of early adolescents in rural communities. Text4Strength extends Sources of Strength, a peer-led school suicide prevention program, by encouraging emotion regulation, help-seeking behaviors, and youth-adult connectedness in adolescents. The study tested the appeal and feasibility of Text4Strength and its potential to extend universal school-based suicide prevention. Methods: We field tested Text4Strength with 42 ninth-grade students. Over 9 weeks, students received 28 interactive message sequences across 9 categories (Sources of Strength introduction, positive friend, mentors, family support, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, medical access, and emotion regulation strategies). The message sequences included games, requests for advice, questions about students’ own experiences, and peer testimonial videos. We measured baseline mental health characteristics, frequency of replies, completion of sequences and video viewing, appeal to students, and their perception of having benefited from the program. Results: Of the 42 participating students, 38 (91%) responded to at least one sequence and 22 (52%) responded to more than a third of the sequences. The proportion of students who completed multistep sequences they had started ranged from 35% (6/17) to 100% (3/3 to 28/28), with responses dropping off when more than 4 replies were needed. With the exception of spirituality and generosity, each of the content areas generated at least a moderate number of student replies from both boys and girls. Students with higher and lower levels of risk and distress interacted with the sequences at similar rates. Contrary to expectations, few students watched videos. Students viewed the intervention as useful—even those who rarely responded to messages. More than 70% found the texts useful (3 items, n range 29-34) and 90% (36) agreed the program should be repeated. Conclusions: Text4Strength offers a potentially engaging way to extend school-based interventions that promote protective factors for suicide. Text4Strength is ready to be revised, based on findings and student feedback from this field test, and rigorously tested for efficacy. %R 10.2196/10425 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/2/e10425/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/10425 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 5 %P e188 %T Developing a Mental Health eClinic to Improve Access to and Quality of Mental Health Care for Young People: Using Participatory Design as Research Methodologies %A Ospina-Pinillos,Laura %A Davenport,Tracey A %A Ricci,Cristina S %A Milton,Alyssa C %A Scott,Elizabeth M %A Hickie,Ian B %+ Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, 2050, Australia, 61 0286276946, laura.ospinapinillos@sydney.edu.au %K mental health %K community-based participatory research %K eHealth %D 2018 %7 28.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Each year, many young Australians aged between 16 and 25 years experience a mental health disorder, yet only a small proportion access services and even fewer receive timely and evidence-based treatments. Today, with ever-increasing access to the Internet and use of technology, the potential to provide all young people with access (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to the support they require to improve their mental health and well-being is promising. Objective: The aim of this study was to use participatory design (PD) as research methodologies with end users (young people aged between 16 and 25 years and youth health professionals) and our research team to develop the Mental Health eClinic (a Web-based mental health clinic) to improve timely access to, and better quality, mental health care for young people across Australia. Methods: A research and development (R&D) cycle for the codesign and build of the Mental Health eClinic included several iterative PD phases: PD workshops; translation of knowledge and ideas generated during workshops to produce mockups of webpages either as hand-drawn sketches or as wireframes (simple layout of a webpage before visual design and content is added); rapid prototyping; and one-on-one consultations with end users to assess the usability of the alpha build of the Mental Health eClinic. Results: Four PD workshops were held with 28 end users (young people n=18, youth health professionals n=10) and our research team (n=8). Each PD workshop was followed by a knowledge translation session. At the conclusion of this cycle, the alpha prototype was built, and one round of one-on-one end user consultation sessions was conducted (n=6; all new participants, young people n=4, youth health professionals n=2). The R&D cycle revealed the importance of five key components for the Mental Health eClinic: a home page with a visible triage system for those requiring urgent help; a comprehensive online physical and mental health assessment; a detailed dashboard of results; a booking and videoconferencing system to enable video visits; and the generation of a personalized well-being plan that includes links to evidence-based, and health professional–recommended, apps and etools. Conclusions: The Mental Health eClinic provides health promotion, triage protocols, screening, assessment, a video visit system, the development of personalized well-being plans, and self-directed mental health support for young people. It presents a technologically advanced and clinically efficient system that can be adapted to suit a variety of settings in which there is an opportunity to connect with young people. This will enable all young people, and especially those currently not able or willing to connect with face-to-face services, to receive best practice clinical services by breaking down traditional barriers to care and making health care more personalized, accessible, affordable, and available. %R 10.2196/jmir.9716 %U http://www.jmir.org/2018/5/e188/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9716 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-9279 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 2 %P e10 %T Training Working Memory in Adolescents Using Serious Game Elements: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial %A Boendermaker,Wouter J %A Gladwin,Thomas E %A Peeters,Margot %A Prins,Pier J M %A Wiers,Reinout W %+ Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, 3584 CS, Netherlands, 31 302531897, w.j.boendermaker@uu.nl %K cognitive function %K memory %K video games %K motivation %D 2018 %7 23.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Serious Games %G English %X Background: Working memory capacity has been found to be impaired in adolescents with various psychological problems, such as addictive behaviors. Training of working memory capacity can lead to significant behavioral improvements, but it is usually long and tedious, taxing participants’ motivation to train. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether adding game elements to the training could help improve adolescents’ motivation to train while improving cognition. Methods: A total of 84 high school students were allocated to a working memory capacity training, a gamified working memory capacity training, or a placebo condition. Working memory capacity, motivation to train, and drinking habits were assessed before and after training. Results: Self-reported evaluations did not show a self-reported preference for the game, but participants in the gamified working memory capacity training condition did train significantly longer. The game successfully increased motivation to train, but this effect faded over time. Working memory capacity increased equally in all conditions but did not lead to significantly lower drinking, which may be due to low drinking levels at baseline. Conclusions: We recommend that future studies attempt to prolong this motivational effect, as it appeared to fade over time. %M 29792294 %R 10.2196/games.8364 %U http://games.jmir.org/2018/2/e10/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/games.8364 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29792294 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-5222 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 2 %P e44 %T Internet Use, Depression, and Anxiety in a Healthy Adolescent Population: Prospective Cohort Study %A Thom,Robyn Pauline %A Bickham,David S %A Rich,Michael %+ Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 60 Fenwood Road, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, 02115, United States, 1 857 307 5521, rthom@bidmc.harvard.edu %K mental health %K psychiatric disorders %K internet use %K social networking sites %D 2018 %7 22.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Psychiatric disorders, including conduct disturbances, substance abuse, and affective disorders, emerge in approximately 20% of adolescents. In parallel with the rise in internet use, the prevalence of depression among adolescents has increased. It remains unclear whether and how internet use impacts mental health in adolescents. Objective: We assess the association between patterns of internet use and two mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety) in a healthy adolescent population. Methods: A total of 126 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years were recruited. Participants reported their typical computer and internet usage patterns. At baseline and one-year follow-up, they completed the Beck Depression Index for primary care (BDI-PC) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory for Primary Care (BAI-PC). Individual linear regressions were completed to determine the association between markers of internet use at baseline and mental health outcomes at one-year follow-up. All models controlled for age, gender, and ethnicity. Results: There was an inverse correlation between minutes spent on a favorite website per visit and BAI-PC score. No association was found between internet use and BDI-PC score. Conclusions: There is no relationship between internet use patterns and depression in adolescents, whereas internet use may mitigate anxiety in adolescents with higher levels of baseline anxiety. %R 10.2196/mental.8471 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/2/e44/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8471 %0 Journal Article %@ 2561-6722 %I JMIR Publications %V 1 %N 1 %P e5 %T eHealth Interventions for Anxiety Management Targeting Young Children and Adolescents: Exploratory Review %A Tozzi,Federica %A Nicolaidou,Iolie %A Galani,Anastasia %A Antoniades,Athos %+ Stremble Ventures Ltd, 59 Christaki Kranou, Germasogeia, Limassol, 4042, Cyprus, 357 25004457, federica.tozzi@stremble.com %K child %K adolescent %K anxiety %K anxiety disorders %K telemedicine %K eHealth %K mobile applications %K review %D 2018 %7 10.05.2018 %9 Review %J JMIR Pediatr Parent %G English %X Background: Advances in technology are progressively more relevant to the clinical practice of psychology and mental health services generally. Studies indicate that technology facilitates the delivery of interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, in the treatment of psychological disorders in adults, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic symptoms, and eating disorders. Fewer data exist for computer-based (stand-alone, self-help) and computer-assisted (in combination with face-to-face therapy, or therapist guided) programs for youth. Objective: Our objective was to summarize and critically review the literature evaluating the acceptability and efficacy of using technology with treatment and prevention programs for anxiety in young children and adolescents. The aim was to improve the understanding of what would be critical for future development of effective technology-based interventions. Methods: We conducted an exploratory review of the literature through searches in 3 scientific electronic databases (PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and PubMed). We used keywords in various combinations: child or children, adolescent, preschool children, anxiety, intervention or treatment or program, smartphone applications or apps, online or Web-based tool, computer-based tool, internet-based tool, serious games, cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, biofeedback, and mindfulness. For inclusion, articles had to (1) employ a technological therapeutic tool with or without the guidance of a therapist; (2) be specific for treatment or prevention of anxiety disorders in children or adolescents; (3) be published between 2000 and 2018; and (4) be published in English and in scientific peer-reviewed journals. Results: We identified and examined 197 articles deemed to be relevant. Of these, we excluded 164 because they did not satisfy 1 or more of the requirements. The final review comprised 19 programs. Published studies demonstrated promising results in reducing anxiety, especially relative to the application of cognitive behavioral therapy with technology. For those programs demonstrating efficacy, no difference was noted when compared with traditional interventions. Other approaches have been applied to technology-based interventions with inconclusive results. Most programs were developed to be used concurrently with traditional treatments and lacked long-term evaluation. Very little has been done in terms of prevention interventions. Conclusions: Future development of eHealth programs for anxiety management in children will have to address several unmet needs and overcome key challenges. Although developmental stages may limit the applicability to preschool children, prevention should start in early ages. Self-help formats and personalization are highly relevant for large-scale dissemination. Automated data collection should be built in for program evaluation and effectiveness assessment. And finally, a strategy to stimulate motivation to play and maintain high adherence should be carefully considered. %R 10.2196/pediatrics.7248 %U http://pediatrics.jmir.org/2018/1/e5/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/pediatrics.7248 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 2 %P e34 %T Harnessing Social Media to Explore Youth Social Withdrawal in Three Major Cities in China: Cross-Sectional Web Survey %A Liu,Lucia Lin %A Li,Tim MH %A Teo,Alan R %A Kato,Takahiro A %A Wong,Paul WC %+ Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong,, China (Hong Kong), 852 39175029, paulw@hku.hk %K adolescent %K social withdrawal %K hikikomori %K youth social issues %K Web survey %K China %D 2018 %7 10.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Socially withdrawn youth belong to an emerging subgroup of youth who are not in employment, education, or training and who have limited social interaction intention and opportunities. The use of the internet and social media is expected to be an alternative and feasible way to reach this group of young people because of their reclusive nature. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using various social media platforms to investigate the existence of the phenomenon of youth social withdrawal in 3 major cities in China. Methods: A cross-sectional open Web survey was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016 to identify and reach socially withdrawn youth in 3 metropolitan cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. To advertise the survey, 3 social media platforms were used: Weibo, WeChat, and Wandianba, a social networking gaming website. Results: In total, 137 participants completed the survey, among whom 13 (9.5%) were identified as belonging to the withdrawal group, 7 (5.1%) to the asocial group, and 9 (6.6%) to the hikikomori group (both withdrawn and asocial for more than 3 months). The cost of recruitment via Weibo was US $7.27 per participant. Conclusions: Several social media platforms in China are viable and inexpensive tools to reach socially withdrawn youth, and internet platforms that specialize in a certain culture or type of entertainment appeared to be more effective in reaching socially withdrawn youth. %M 29748164 %R 10.2196/mental.8509 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/2/e34/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8509 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29748164 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-9279 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 2 %P e9 %T Using Mobile Health Gamification to Facilitate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills Practice in Child Anxiety Treatment: Open Clinical Trial %A Pramana,Gede %A Parmanto,Bambang %A Lomas,James %A Lindhiem,Oliver %A Kendall,Philip C %A Silk,Jennifer %+ Department of Health Information Management, University of Pittsburgh, 6025 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, United States, 1 4123836649, parmanto@pitt.edu %K gamification %K mobile health %K ecological momentary intervention %K cognitive behavioral therapy %K child anxiety treatment %K SmartCAT %K childhood anxiety disorders %D 2018 %7 10.05.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Serious Games %G English %X Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy is an efficacious treatment for child anxiety disorders. Although efficacious, many children (40%-50%) do not show a significant reduction in symptoms or full recovery from primary anxiety diagnoses. One possibility is that they are unwilling to learn and practice cognitive behavioral therapy skills beyond therapy sessions. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including a lack of motivation, forgetfulness, and a lack of cognitive behavioral therapy skills understanding. Mobile health (mHealth) gamification provides a potential solution to improve cognitive behavioral therapy efficacy by delivering more engaging and interactive strategies to facilitate cognitive behavioral therapy skills practice in everyday lives (in vivo). Objective: The goal of this project was to redesign an existing mHealth system called SmartCAT (Smartphone-enhanced Child Anxiety Treatment) so as to increase user engagement, retention, and learning facilitation by integrating gamification techniques and interactive features. Furthermore, this project assessed the effectiveness of gamification in improving user engagement and retention throughout posttreatment. Methods: We redesigned and implemented the SmartCAT system consisting of a smartphone app for children and an integrated clinician portal. The gamified app contains (1) a series of interactive games and activities to reinforce skill understanding, (2) an in vivo skills coach that cues the participant to use cognitive behavioral therapy skills during real-world emotional experiences, (3) a home challenge module to encourage home-based exposure tasks, (4) a digital reward system that contains digital points and trophies, and (5) a therapist-patient messaging interface. Therapists used a secure Web-based portal connected to the app to set up required activities for each session, receive or send messages, manage participant rewards and challenges, and view data and figures summarizing the app usage. The system was implemented as an adjunctive component to brief cognitive behavioral therapy in an open clinical trial. To evaluate the effectiveness of gamification, we compared the app usage data at posttreatment with the earlier version of SmartCAT without gamification. Results: Gamified SmartCAT was used frequently throughout treatment. On average, patients spent 35.59 min on the app (SD 64.18) completing 13.00 activities between each therapy session (SD 12.61). At the 0.10 significance level, the app usage of the gamified system (median 68.00) was higher than that of the earlier, nongamified SmartCAT version (median 37.00, U=76.00, P<.01). The amount of time spent on the gamified system (median 173.15) was significantly different from that of the earlier version (median 120.73, U=173.00, P=.06). Conclusions: The gamified system showed good acceptability, usefulness, and engagement among anxious children receiving brief cognitive behavioral therapy treatment. Integrating an mHealth gamification platform within treatment for anxious children seems to increase involvement in shorter treatment. Further study is needed to evaluate increase in involvement in full-length treatment. %M 29748165 %R 10.2196/games.8902 %U http://games.jmir.org/2018/2/e9/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/games.8902 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29748165 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-5222 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 4 %P e90 %T The Interactive Child Distress Screener: Development and Preliminary Feasibility Testing %A March,Sonja %A Day,Jamin %A Zieschank,Kirsty %A Ireland,Michael %+ Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield Central, 4300, Australia, 61 34704434, sonja.march@usq.edu.au %K child %K preschool %K mental health %K symptom assessment %K self-assessment (psychology) %D 2018 %7 19.04.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth %G English %X Background: Early identification of child emotional and behavioral concerns is essential for the prevention of mental health problems; however, few suitable child-reported screening measures are available. Digital tools offer an exciting opportunity for obtaining clinical information from the child’s perspective. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the initial development and pilot testing of the Interactive Child Distress Screener (ICDS). The ICDS is a Web-based screening instrument for the early identification of emotional and behavioral problems in children aged between 5 and 12 years. Methods: This paper utilized a mixed-methods approach to (1) develop and refine item content using an expert review process (study 1) and (2) develop and refine prototype animations and an app interface using codesign with child users (study 2). Study 1 involved an iterative process that comprised the following four steps: (1) the initial development of target constructs, (2) preliminary content validation (face validity, item importance, and suitability for animation) from an expert panel of researchers and psychologists (N=9), (3) item refinement, and (4) a follow-up validation with the same expert panel. Study 2 also comprised four steps, which are as follows: (1) the development of prototype animations, (2) the development of the app interface and a response format, (3) child interviews to determine feasibility and obtain feedback, and (4) refinement of animations and interface. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 18 children aged between 4 and 12 years who tested 3 prototype animated items. Children were asked to describe the target behavior, how well the animations captured the intended behavior, and provide suggestions for improvement. Their ability to understand the wording of instructions was also assessed, as well as the general acceptability of character and sound design. Results: In study 1, a revised list of 15 constructs was generated from the first and second round of expert feedback. These were rated highly in terms of importance (mean 6.32, SD 0.42) and perceived compatibility of items (mean 6.41, SD 0.45) on a 7-point scale. In study 2, overall feedback regarding the character design and sounds was positive. Children’s ability to understand intended behaviors varied according to target items, and feedback highlighted key objectives for improvements such as adding contextual cues or improving character detail. These design changes were incorporated through an iterative process, with examples presented. Conclusions: The ICDS has potential to obtain clinical information from the child’s perspective that may otherwise be overlooked. If effective, the ICDS will provide a quick, engaging, and easy-to-use screener that can be utilized in routine care settings. This project highlights the importance of involving an expert review and user codesign in the development of digital assessment tools for children. %M 29674310 %R 10.2196/mhealth.9456 %U http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/4/e90/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9456 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29674310 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 2 %P e27 %T Youth Mental Health Services Utilization Rates After a Large-Scale Social Media Campaign: Population-Based Interrupted Time-Series Analysis %A Booth,Richard G %A Allen,Britney N %A Bray Jenkyn,Krista M %A Li,Lihua %A Shariff,Salimah Z %+ Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, FNB2333, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada, 1 5196612111 ext 86571, rbooth5@uwo.ca %K mental health %K youth %K adolescent %K social media %K population health %K mass media %D 2018 %7 06.04.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Despite the uptake of mass media campaigns, their overall impact remains unclear. Since 2011, a Canadian telecommunications company has operated an annual, large-scale mental health advocacy campaign (Bell Let’s Talk) focused on mental health awareness and stigma reduction. In February 2012, the campaign began to explicitly leverage the social media platform Twitter and incented participation from the public by promising donations of Can $0.05 for each interaction with a campaign-specific username (@Bell_LetsTalk). Objective: The intent of the study was to examine the impact of this 2012 campaign on youth outpatient mental health services in the province of Ontario, Canada. Methods: Monthly outpatient mental health visits (primary health care and psychiatric services) were obtained for the Ontario youth aged 10 to 24 years (approximately 5.66 million visits) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. Interrupted time series, autoregressive integrated moving average modeling was implemented to evaluate the impact of the campaign on rates of monthly outpatient mental health visits. A lagged intervention date of April 1, 2012 was selected to account for the delay required for a patient to schedule and attend a mental health–related physician visit. Results: The inclusion of Twitter into the 2012 Bell Let’s Talk campaign was temporally associated with an increase in outpatient mental health utilization for both males and females. Within primary health care environments, female adolescents aged 10 to 17 years experienced a monthly increase in the mental health visit rate from 10.2/1000 in April 2006 to 14.1/1000 in April 2015 (slope change of 0.094 following campaign, P<.001), whereas males of the same age cohort experienced a monthly increase from 9.7/1000 to 9.8/1000 (slope change of 0.052 following campaign, P<.001). Outpatient psychiatric services visit rates also increased for both male and female adolescents aged 10 to 17 years post campaign (slope change of 0.005, P=.02; slope change of 0.003, P=.005, respectively). For young adults aged 18 to 24 years, females who used primary health care experienced the most significant increases in mental health visit rates from 26.5/1000 in April 2006 to 29.2/1000 in April 2015 (slope change of 0.17 following campaign, P<.001). Conclusions: The 2012 Bell Let’s Talk campaign was temporally associated with an increase in the rate of mental health visits among Ontarian youth. Furthermore, there appears to be an upward trend of youth mental health utilization in the province of Ontario, especially noticeable in females who accessed primary health care services. %M 29625954 %R 10.2196/mental.8808 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/2/e27/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8808 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29625954 %0 Journal Article %@ 2292-9495 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 1 %P e12 %T General Practitioners’ Attitudes Toward a Web-Based Mental Health Service for Adolescents: Implications for Service Design and Delivery %A Subotic-Kerry,Mirjana %A King,Catherine %A O'Moore,Kathleen %A Achilles,Melinda %A O'Dea,Bridianne %+ Black Dog Institute, Hospital Road, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, 2031, Australia, 61 2 9382 8509, m.subotic-kerry@blackdog.org.au %K anxiety %K depression %K adolescent %K general practitioners %K internet %D 2018 %7 23.03.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Hum Factors %G English %X Background: Anxiety disorders and depression are prevalent among youth. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of professional contact for treating health problems in young people. A Web-based mental health service delivered in partnership with schools may facilitate increased access to psychological care among adolescents. However, for such a model to be implemented successfully, GPs’ views need to be measured. Objective: This study aimed to examine the needs and attitudes of GPs toward a Web-based mental health service for adolescents, and to identify the factors that may affect the provision of this type of service and likelihood of integration. Findings will inform the content and overall service design. Methods: GPs were interviewed individually about the proposed Web-based service. Qualitative analysis of transcripts was performed using thematic coding. A short follow-up questionnaire was delivered to assess background characteristics, level of acceptability, and likelihood of integration of the Web-based mental health service. Results: A total of 13 GPs participated in the interview and 11 completed a follow-up online questionnaire. Findings suggest strong support for the proposed Web-based mental health service. A wide range of factors were found to influence the likelihood of GPs integrating a Web-based service into their clinical practice. Coordinated collaboration with parents, students, school counselors, and other mental health care professionals were considered important by nearly all GPs. Confidence in Web-based care, noncompliance of adolescents and GPs, accessibility, privacy, and confidentiality were identified as potential barriers to adopting the proposed Web-based service. Conclusions: GPs were open to a proposed Web-based service for the monitoring and management of anxiety and depression in adolescents, provided that a collaborative approach to care is used, the feedback regarding the client is clear, and privacy and security provisions are assured. %M 29572203 %R 10.2196/humanfactors.8913 %U http://humanfactors.jmir.org/2018/1/e12/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/humanfactors.8913 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29572203 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 3 %P e79 %T The Optimization of an eHealth Solution (Thought Spot) with Transition-Aged Youth in Postsecondary Settings: Participatory Design Research %A VanHeerwaarden,Nicole %A Ferguson,Genevieve %A Abi-Jaoude,Alexxa %A Johnson,Andrew %A Hollenberg,Elisa %A Chaim,Gloria %A Cleverley,Kristin %A Eysenbach,Gunther %A Henderson,Joanna %A Levinson,Andrea %A Robb,Janine %A Sharpe,Sarah %A Voineskos,Aristotle %A Wiljer,David %+ Education, Technology & Innovation, University Health Network, 190 Elizabeth Street, R Fraser Elliott Building RFE 3S-411, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada, 1 416 340 6322, david.wiljer@uhn.ca %K students %K transition-aged youth %K mental health %K substance use %K eHealth %K mobile apps %K participatory action research %K help-seeking %D 2018 %7 06.03.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Seventy percent of lifetime cases of mental illness emerge before the age of 24 years, but many youth are unable to access the support and services they require in a timely and appropriate way. With most youth using the internet, electronic health (eHealth) interventions are promising tools for reaching this population. Through participatory design research (PDR) engagement methods, Thought Spot, a Web- and mobile-based platform, was redeveloped to facilitate access to mental health services by transition-aged youth (aged 16-29 years) in postsecondary settings. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the process of engaging with postsecondary students through the PDR approaches, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the Thought Spot platform. Methods: Consistent with the PDR approaches, five student-led workshops, attended by 41 individuals, were facilitated to obtain feedback regarding the platform’s usability and functionality and its potential value in a postsecondary setting. Various creative engagement activities were delivered to gather experiences and opinions, including semistructured focus groups, questionnaires, personas, journey mapping, and a world café. Innovative technological features and refinements were also brainstormed during the workshops. Results: By using PDR methods of engagement, participants knew that their ideas and recommendations would be applied. There was also an overall sense of respect and care integrated into each group, which facilitated an exchange of ideas and suggestions. Conclusions: The process of engaging with students to redesign the Thought Spot platform through PDR has been effective. Findings from these workshops will significantly inform new technological features within the app to enable positive help-seeking behaviors among students. These behaviors will be further explored in the second phase that involves a randomized controlled trial. %M 29510970 %R 10.2196/jmir.8102 %U http://www.jmir.org/2018/3/e79/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8102 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29510970 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 1 %P e17 %T Supporting Our Valued Adolescents (SOVA), a Social Media Website for Adolescents with Depression and/or Anxiety: Technological Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability Study %A Radovic,Ana %A Gmelin,Theresa %A Hua,Jing %A Long,Cassandra %A Stein,Bradley D %A Miller,Elizabeth %+ Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3420 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States, 1 412 692 7227, ana.radovic@chp.edu %K adolescent %K adolescent health services %K technology %K depression %K anxiety %D 2018 %7 26.02.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Supporting Our Valued Adolescents (SOVA), a social media website for adolescents, was designed to increase mental health literacy and address negative health beliefs toward depression and/or anxiety diagnosis and treatment. This stakeholder-informed site underwent iterative user testing to evolve into its current version with daily blog posts, round-the-clock site moderation, and Web-based peer interaction to create an online support community. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the technological feasibility (at least 100 users on the site, logging in 12 to 18 times in the first 6 weeks) and acceptability of the SOVA site determined by the System Usability Scale (SUS). Methods: Adolescents and young adults (aged 14-26 years) with a self-reported history of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were recruited to access the research website (sova.pitt.edu). Participants were screened out if they reported active suicidality or a prior suicide attempt. Baseline survey measures included demographics, symptomatology using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for adolescents (PHQ-9A) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-C), and mental health treatment history. The 6-week follow-up measures taken in addition to the symptomatology, included feasibility (total number of log-ins), usability, and acceptability of SOVA using SUS. Results: Most of the 96 participants identified as female (75% [72/96]) and white (67% [64/96]). Most participants (73% [70/96]) reported having taken prior professional psychological help. The average PHQ-9A score was 11.8 (SD 5.5), and for SCARED-C, 85% (80/94) of the participants reported a score consistent with being susceptible to a diagnosed anxiety disorder. There were 46% (41/90) of eligible users who ever logged in. Out of the total users who ever logged in, the mean of total log-ins over the entire study was 4.1 (SD 6.9). Median number of users rated the user-friendliness of the site as “good.” The average SUS score was 71.2% (SD 18.7), or a “C-grade,” which correlated to an acceptable range. The participants reported to have liked the “easy-to-understand format” and “positive, helpful atmosphere,” but they also reported a desire for greater social interaction. Iterative recruitment resulted in incremental improvements to the site. Conclusions: The SOVA site met feasibility goals of recruiting almost 100 users and establishing acceptable usability. Subsequent interventions are planned to increase site engagement and to evaluate efficacy in increasing uptake of primary care–recommended depression and/or anxiety treatment. %M 29483067 %R 10.2196/mental.9441 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/1/e17/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.9441 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29483067 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 1 %P e16 %T Acceptability, Use, and Safety of a Mobile Phone App (BlueIce) for Young People Who Self-Harm: Qualitative Study of Service Users’ Experience %A Grist,Rebecca %A Porter,Joanna %A Stallard,Paul %+ Child and Adolescent Mental Health Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom, 44 2253850 ext 86, rg626@bath.ac.uk %K self-injurious behavior %K mobile apps %K adolescents %K telemedicine %K qualitative research %K cognitive therapy %K behavior therapy %D 2018 %7 23.02.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Self-harm is common among adolescents and is associated with a number of negative psychosocial outcomes including a higher risk of suicide. Recent reviews highlight the lack of research into specific interventions for children and young people who self-harm. Developing innovative interventions that are coproduced with individuals with lived experience and that reduce self-harm are key challenges for self-harm prevention. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability, use, and safety of BlueIce, a mobile phone app for young people who self-harm and who are attending child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Methods: This study is part of a mixed methods phase 1 trial of BlueIce. Young people aged 12-17 years attending specialist CAMHS were recruited. Clinicians were invited to refer young people who were self-harming or who had a history of self-harm. On consent being obtained and baseline measures taken, participants used BlueIce as an adjunct to usual care for an initial familiarization period of 2 weeks. If after this time they wanted to continue, they used BlueIce for a further 10 weeks. Semistructured interviews were conducted at postfamiliarization (2 weeks after using BlueIce) and postuse (12 weeks after using BlueIce) to assess the acceptability, use, and safety of BlueIce. We undertook a qualitative analysis using a deductive approach, and then an inductive approach, to investigate common themes. Results: Postfamiliarization interviews were conducted with 40 participants. Of these, 37 participants elected to use BlueIce, with postuse interviews being conducted with 33 participants. Following 6 key themes emerged from the data: (1) appraisal of BlueIce, (2) usability of BlueIce, (3) safety, (4) benefits of BlueIce, (5) agency and control, and (6) BlueIce less helpful. The participants reported that BlueIce was accessible, easy to use, and convenient. Many highlighted the mood diary and mood lifter sections as particularly helpful in offering a way to track their moods and offering new strategies to manage their thoughts to self-harm. No adverse effects were reported. For those who did not find BlueIce helpful, issues around motivation to stop self-harming impeded their ability to use the app. Conclusions: BlueIce was judged to be a helpful and safe way of supporting adolescents to manage thoughts of self-harming. Adolescents reported numerous benefits of using BlueIce, and all would recommend the app to other young people who were struggling with self-harm. These preliminary findings are encouraging and provide initial support for the acceptability of BlueIce as a self-help intervention used in conjunction with the traditional face-to-face therapy. %M 29475823 %R 10.2196/mental.8779 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/1/e16/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8779 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29475823 %0 Journal Article %@ 1929-0748 %I JMIR Publications %V 7 %N 2 %P e48 %T Implementation of the Enhanced Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST+) Model Within a National Youth E-Mental Health Service (eheadspace): Protocol for a Single Group Pilot Study for Help-Seeking Young People %A Rice,Simon %A Gleeson,John %A Leicester,Steven %A Bendall,Sarah %A D'Alfonso,Simon %A Gilbertson,Tamsyn %A Killackey,Eoin %A Parker,Alexandra %A Lederman,Reeva %A Wadley,Greg %A Santesteban-Echarri,Olga %A Pryor,Ingrid %A Mawren,Daveena %A Ratheesh,Aswin %A Alvarez-Jimenez,Mario %+ Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052, Australia, 61 03 9342 2800, simon.rice@orygen.org.au %K internet %K social networking %K young adult %K adolescent %K mental heath %D 2018 %7 22.02.2018 %9 Protocol %J JMIR Res Protoc %G English %X Background: There is a substantial need for youth electronic mental health (e-mental health) services. In addressing this need, our team has developed a novel moderated online social therapy intervention called enhanced moderated online social therapy (MOST+). MOST+ integrates real-time, clinician-delivered Web chat counseling, interactive user-directed online therapy, expert and peer moderation, and private and secure peer-to-peer social networking. MOST+ has been designed to give young people immediate, 24-hour access to anonymous, evidence-based, and short-term mental health care. Objective: The primary aims of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the intervention. Secondary aims were to assess prepost changes in key psychosocial outcomes and collect qualitative data for future intervention refinement. Methods: MOST+ will be embedded within eheadspace, an Australian youth e-mental health service, and will be evaluated via an uncontrolled single-group study. Approximately 250 help-seeking young people (16-25 years) will be progressively recruited to the intervention from the eheadspace home page over the first 4 weeks of an 8-week intervention period. All participants will have access to evidence-based therapeutic content and integrated Web chat counseling. Additional access to moderated peer-to-peer social networking will be granted to individuals for whom it is deemed safe and appropriate, through a three-tiered screening process. Participants will be enrolled in the MOST+ intervention for 1 week, with the option to renew their enrollment across the duration of the pilot. Participants will complete a survey at enrollment to assess psychological well-being and other mental health outcomes. Additional assessment will occur following account deactivation (ie, after participant has opted not to renew their enrollment, or at trial conclusion) and will include an online survey and telephone interview assessing psychological well-being and experience of using MOST+. Results: Recruitment for the study commenced in October 2017. We expect to have initial results in March 2018, with more detailed qualitative and quantitative analyses to follow. Conclusions: This is the first Australia-wide research trial to pilot an online social media platform merging real-time clinical support, expert and peer moderation, interactive online therapy, and peer-to-peer social networking. The importance of the project stems from the need to develop innovative new models for the efficient delivery of responsive evidence-based online support to help-seeking young people. If successful, this research stands to complement and enhance e-mental health services in Australia. %M 29472177 %R 10.2196/resprot.8813 %U http://www.researchprotocols.org/2018/2/e48/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.8813 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29472177 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 1 %P e13 %T A Web-Based Psychoeducational Intervention for Adolescent Depression: Design and Development of MoodHwb %A Bevan Jones,Rhys %A Thapar,Anita %A Rice,Frances %A Beeching,Harriet %A Cichosz,Rachel %A Mars,Becky %A Smith,Daniel J %A Merry,Sally %A Stallard,Paul %A Jones,Ian %A Thapar,Ajay K %A Simpson,Sharon A %+ Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, 44 02920688451, bevanjonesr1@cardiff.ac.uk %K adolescent %K depression %K internet %K education %K preventive psychiatry %K early medical intervention %D 2018 %7 15.02.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Depression is common in adolescence and leads to distress and impairment in individuals, families and carers. Treatment and prevention guidelines highlight the key role of information and evidence-based psychosocial interventions not only for individuals but also for their families and carers. Engaging young people in prevention and early intervention programs is a challenge, and early treatment and prevention of adolescent depression is a major public health concern. There has been growing interest in psychoeducational interventions to provide accurate information about health issues and to enhance and develop self-management skills. However, for adolescents with, or at high risk of depression, there is a lack of engaging Web-based psychoeducation programs that have been developed with user input and in line with research guidelines and targeted at both the individual and their family or carer. There are also few studies published on the process of development of Web-based psychoeducational interventions. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the process underlying the design and development of MoodHwb (HwbHwyliau in Welsh): a Web-based psychoeducation multimedia program for young people with, or at high risk of, depression and their families, carers, friends, and professionals. Methods: The initial prototype was informed by (1) a systematic review of psychoeducational interventions for adolescent depression; (2) findings from semistructured interviews and focus groups conducted with adolescents (with depressive symptoms or at high risk), parents or carers, and professionals working with young people; and (3) workshops and discussions with a multimedia company and experts (in clinical, research, and multimedia work). Twelve interviews were completed (four each with young people, parents or carers, and professionals) and six focus groups (three with young people, one with parents and carers, one with professionals, and one with academics). Results: Key themes from the interviews and focus groups were: aims of the program, design and content issues, and integration and context of the program. The prototype was designed to be person-centered, multiplatform, engaging, interactive, and bilingual. It included mood-monitoring and goal-setting components and was available as a Web-based program and an app for mobile technologies. Conclusions: MoodHwb is a Web-based psychoeducational intervention developed for young people with, or at high risk of, depression and their families and carers. It was developed with user input using qualitative methods as well as user-centered design and educational and psychological theory. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in a randomized controlled trial. If found to be effective, it could be implemented in health, education, youth and social services, and charities, to not only help young people but also families, carers, friends, and professionals involved in their care. %M 29449202 %R 10.2196/mental.8894 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/1/e13/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8894 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29449202 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 20 %N 1 %P e38 %T Remote Collaborative Depression Care Program for Adolescents in Araucanía Region, Chile: Randomized Controlled Trial %A Martínez,Vania %A Rojas,Graciela %A Martínez,Pablo %A Zitko,Pedro %A Irarrázaval,Matías %A Luttges,Carolina %A Araya,Ricardo %+ Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Av. La Paz 1003, Recoleta, Santiago,, Chile, 56 229788601, graciela.rojas.castillo@gmail.com %K primary health care %K depression %K adolescents %K Internet %K telemedicine %K medically underserved area %D 2018 %7 31.01.2018 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Despite evidence on efficacious interventions, a great proportion of depressed adolescents do not receive evidence-based treatment and have no access to specialized mental health care. Remote collaborative depression care (RCDC) may help to reduce the gap between needs and specialized mental health services. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an RCDC intervention for adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) living in the Araucanía Region, Chile. Methods: A cluster randomized, assessor-blind trial was carried out at 16 primary care centers in the Araucanía Region, Chile. Before randomization, all participating primary care teams were trained in clinical guidelines for the treatment of adolescent depression. Adolescents (N=143; 13-19 years) with MDD were recruited. The intervention group (RCDC, N=65) received a 3-month RCDC treatment that included continuous remote supervision by psychiatrists located in Santiago, Chile’s capital city, through shared electronic health records (SEHR) and phone patient monitoring. The control group (enhanced usual care or EUC; N=78) received EUC by clinicians who were encouraged to follow clinical guidelines. Recruitment and response rates and the use of the SEHR system were registered; patient adherence and satisfaction with the treatment and clinician satisfaction with RCDC were assessed at 12-week follow-up; and depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated at baseline and 12-weeks follow-up. Results: More than 60.3% (143/237) of the original estimated sample size was recruited, and a response rate of 90.9% (130/143) was achieved at 12-week follow-up. A mean (SD) of 3.5 (4.0) messages per patient were written on the SEHR system by primary care teams. A third of the patients showed an optimal adherence to psychopharmacological treatment, and adolescents in the RCDC intervention group were more satisfied with psychological assistance than those in EUC group. Primary care clinicians were satisfied with the RCDC intervention, valuing its usefulness. There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms or HRQoL between groups. Satisfaction with psychological care, in both groups, was related to a significant change in depressive symptomatology at 12-weeks follow-up (beta=−4.3, 95% CI −7.2 to −1.3). Conclusions: This is the first trial of its kind in Latin America that includes adolescents from vulnerable backgrounds, with an intervention that proved to be feasible and well accepted by both patients and primary care clinicians. Design and implementation issues may explain similar effectiveness across arms. The effectiveness of the intervention seems to be comparable with an already nationwide established treatment program that proved to be highly efficacious under controlled conditions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01860443; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01860443 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6wafMKlTY) %M 29386172 %R 10.2196/jmir.8021 %U https://www.jmir.org/2018/1/e38/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8021 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29386172 %0 Journal Article %@ 2291-5222 %I JMIR Publications %V 6 %N 1 %P e32 %T A Smartphone App (BlueIce) for Young People Who Self-Harm: Open Phase 1 Pre-Post Trial %A Stallard,Paul %A Porter,Joanna %A Grist,Rebecca %+ Child and Adolescent Mental Health Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Wessex House 6.10, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom, 44 1225 383282, p.stallard@bath.ac.uk %K self-injury %K smartphone %K mobile apps %K BlueIce %K adolescents %K cognitive behavioral therapy %K mHealth %D 2018 %7 30.01.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth %G English %X Background: Recent years have seen a significant increase in the availability of smartphone apps for mental health problems. Despite their proliferation, few apps have been specifically developed for young people, and almost none have been subject to any form of evaluation. Objective: This study aimed to undertake a preliminary evaluation of a smartphone app (BlueIce), coproduced with young people and designed to help young people manage distress and urges to self-harm. We aimed to assess the acceptability, safety, and use of BlueIce and to explore the effects on the primary outcome of self-harm and the secondary outcomes of psychological functioning. Methods: We undertook an open trial where we recruited young people aged 12 to 17 years attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) who were currently self-harming or had a history of self-harm. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline and then given BlueIce. They were assessed 2 weeks later (post familiarization) and again at 12 weeks (post use). A behavior-screening questionnaire (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) was completed along with standardized measures of depression (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire or MFQ) and anxiety (Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale or RCADS), taking into account self-reports of self-harm, app helpfulness, and safety. Results: All core CAMHS professional groups referred at least 1 young person. Out of 40 young people recruited, 37 (93%) elected to use BlueIce after familiarization, with 29 out of 33 (88%) wanting to keep it at the end of the study. No young person called the emergency numbers during the 12-week trial, and no one was withdrawn by his or her clinician due to increased risk of suicide. Almost three-quarters (73%) of those who had recently self-harmed reported reductions in self-harm after using BlueIce for 12 weeks. There was a statistically significant mean difference of 4.91 (t31=2.11; P=.04; 95% CI 0.17-9.64) on postuse symptoms of depression (MFQ) and 13.53 on symptoms of anxiety (RCADS) (t30=3.76; P=.001; 95% CI 6.17-20.90), which was evident across all anxiety subscales. Ratings of app acceptability and usefulness were high. Conclusions: Our study has a number of methodological limitations, particularly the absence of a comparison group and a prospective way of assessing self-harm. Nonetheless, our findings are encouraging and suggest that BlueIce, used alongside a traditional CAMHS face-to-face intervention, can help young people manage their emotional distress and urges to self-harm. %M 29382632 %R 10.2196/mhealth.8917 %U http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/1/e32/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.8917 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29382632 %0 Journal Article %@ 2368-7959 %I JMIR Publications %V 5 %N 1 %P e10 %T Web-Based Decision Aid to Assist Help-Seeking Choices for Young People Who Self-Harm: Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial %A Rowe,Sarah L %A Patel,Krisna %A French,Rebecca S %A Henderson,Claire %A Ougrin,Dennis %A Slade,Mike %A Moran,Paul %+ Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, 6th Floor, London, W1T 7NF, United Kingdom, 44 07415078280, s.rowe@ucl.ac.uk %K adolescent %K self-harm %K decision aid %K intervention %K schools %K feasibility %K randomized controlled trials %K ethics %D 2018 %7 30.01.2018 %9 Original Paper %J JMIR Ment Health %G English %X Background: Adolescents who self-harm are often unsure how or where to get help. We developed a Web-based personalized decision aid (DA) designed to support young people in decision making about seeking help for their self-harm. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the DA intervention and the randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a school setting. Methods: We conducted a two-group, single blind, randomized controlled feasibility trial in a school setting. Participants aged 12 to 18 years who reported self-harm in the past 12 months were randomized to either a Web-based DA or to general information about mood and feelings. Feasibility of recruitment, randomization, and follow-up rates were assessed, as was acceptability of the intervention and study procedures. Descriptive data were collected on outcome measures examining decision making and help-seeking behavior. Qualitative interviews were conducted with young people, parents or carers, and staff and subjected to thematic analysis to explore their views of the DA and study processes. Results: Parental consent was a significant barrier to young people participating in the trial, with only 17.87% (208/1164) of parents or guardians who were contacted for consent responding to study invitations. Where parental consent was obtained, we were able to recruit 81.7% (170/208) of young people into the study. Of those young people screened, 13.5% (23/170) had self-harmed in the past year. Ten participants were randomized to receiving the DA, and 13 were randomized to the control group. Four-week follow-up assessments were completed with all participants. The DA had good acceptability, but qualitative interviews suggested that a DA that addressed broader mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm may be more beneficial. Conclusions: A broad-based mental health DA addressing a wide range of psychosocial problems may be useful for young people. The requirement for parental consent is a key barrier to intervention research on self-harm in the school setting. Adaptations to the research design and the intervention are needed before generalizable research about DAs can be successfully conducted in a school setting. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial registry: ISRCTN11230559; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11230559 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6wqErsYWG) %M 29382626 %R 10.2196/mental.8098 %U http://mental.jmir.org/2018/1/e10/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.8098 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29382626 %0 Journal Article %@ 1438-8871 %I JMIR Publications %V 19 %N 6 %P e204 %T Young People, Adult Worries: Randomized Controlled Trial and Feasibility Study of the Internet-Based Self-Support Method “Feel the ViBe” for Adolescents and Young Adults Exposed to Family Violence %A van Rosmalen-Nooijens,Karin %A Lo Fo Wong,Sylvie %A Prins,Judith %A Lagro-Janssen,Toine %+ Gender & Women’s Health, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Internal post 117, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500HB, Netherlands, 31 0 243613110, karin.vanrosmalen-nooijens@radboudumc.nl %K domestic violence %K child abuse %K exposure to violence %K adolescent %K young adult %K telemedicine %K peer group %K peer influence %K Internet %K feasibility studies %K randomized controlled trial %K delivery of health care %D 2017 %7 12.06.2017 %9 Original Paper %J J Med Internet Res %G English %X Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are of special interest in a group of children exposed to family violence (FV). Past-year prevalence of exposure to FV is known to be highest in AYAs and has severe consequences. Peer support is an effective approach to behavior change and the Internet is considered suitable as a mode of delivery. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate both effectiveness and feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and feasibility study of the Internet-based self-support method “Feel the ViBe” (FtV) using mixed-methods approach to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of a new intervention. Methods: AYAs aged 12-25 years and exposed to FV were randomized in an intervention group (access to FtV + usual care) and a control group (minimally enhanced usual care) after they self-registered themselves. From June 2012 to July 2014, participants completed the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and Depression (DEP) and Anxiety (ANX) subscales of the Symptom CheckList-90-R (SCL-90) every 6 weeks. The Web Evaluation Questionnaire was completed after 12 weeks. Quantitative usage data were collected using Google analytics and content management system (CMS) logs and data files. A univariate analysis of variance (UNIANOVA) and mixed model analysis (intention-to-treat [ITT], complete case) were used to compare groups. Pre-post t tests were used to find within-group effects. Feasibility measures structurally address the findings. The CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile HEalth Applications and onLine TeleHealth (CONSORT-EHEALTH) checklist was closely followed. Results: In total, 31 out of 46 participants in the intervention group and 26 out of 47 participants in the control group started FtV. Seventeen participants (intervention: n=8, control: n=9) completed all questionnaires. Mixed model analysis showed significant differences between groups on the SCL-90 DEP (P=.04) and ANX (P=.049) subscales between 6 and 12 weeks after participation started. UNIANOVA showed no significant differences. Pre-post paired sample t tests showed significant improvements after 12 weeks for the SCL-90 DEP (P=.03) and ANX (P=.046) subscales. Reported mean Web-based time per week was 2.83 with a session time of 36 min. FtV was rated a mean 7.47 (1-10 Likert scale) with a helpfulness score of 3.16 (1-5 Likert scale). All participants felt safe. Two-thirds of the intervention participants started regular health care. Conclusions: No changes on the IES were found. SCL-90 DEP and ANX showed promising results; however, the calculated sample size was not reached (n=18). FtV functions best as a first step for adolescents and young adults in an early stage of change. FtV can be easily implemented without extensive resources and fits best in the field of public health care or national governmental care. Trial Registration: Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR): NTR3692; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/ rctview.asp?TC=3692 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qIeKyjA4) %M 28606893 %R 10.2196/jmir.6004 %U http://www.jmir.org/2017/6/e204/ %U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6004 %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28606893