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. 2023 Mar 29;2(3):e0000219.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000219. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Exploring how informed mental health app selection may impact user engagement and satisfaction

Marvin Kopka  1   2   3 , Erica Camacho  1 , Sam Kwon  1 , John Torous  1
Affiliations

Exploring how informed mental health app selection may impact user engagement and satisfaction

Marvin Kopka et al. PLOS Digit Health. .

Abstract

The prevalence of mental health app use by people suffering from mental health disorders is rapidly growing. The integration of mental health apps shows promise in increasing the accessibility and quality of treatment. However, a lack of continued engagement is one of the significant challenges of such implementation. In response, the M-health Index and Navigation Database (MIND)- derived from the American Psychiatric Association's app evaluation framework- was created to support patient autonomy and enhance engagement. This study aimed to identify factors influencing engagement with mental health apps and explore how MIND may affect user engagement around selected apps. We conducted a longitudinal online survey over six weeks after participants were instructed to find mental health apps using MIND. The survey included demographic information, technology usage, access to healthcare, app selection information, System Usability Scale, the Digital Working Alliance Inventory, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale questions. Quantitative analysis was performed to analyze the data. A total of 321 surveys were completed (178 at the initial, 90 at the 2-week mark, and 53 at the 6-week mark). The most influential factors when choosing mental health apps included cost (76%), condition supported by the app (59%), and app features offered (51%), while privacy and clinical foundation to support app claims were among the least selected filters. The top ten apps selected by participants were analyzed for engagement. Rates of engagement among the top-ten apps decreased by 43% from the initial to week two and 22% from week two to week six on average. In the context of overall low engagement with mental health apps, implementation of mental health app databases like MIND can play an essential role in maintaining higher engagement and satisfaction. Together, this study offers early data on how educational approaches like MIND may help bolster mental health apps engagement.

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Conflict of interest statement

I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: JT is a scientific advisor of Precision Mental Wellness, not mentioned in this project.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Top ten apps selected by participants.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Percent of participants indicating which filters were most important in app selection.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Engagement rates of participants using the top 10 selected apps.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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