Focus group to develop positive psychology app
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Focus group study to develop a positive psychological app for common mental health conditions in primary care
IRAS ID
174555
Contact name
Sophie Walsh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Director of Research Services and Business Development
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
09971 QM, ReDA reference:
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background:
Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions which are expensive for the NHS to manage. Current treatments such as talking therapy are useful for some patients but many who do not start or drop out of treatment. Other approaches are needed to improve access to therapy.A promising approach is positive psychology which focuses on increasing life satisfaction, happiness and wellbeing. This might appeal more to some people than symptom-focused treatments. An example is the gratitude journal, a daily diary recording three things one is grateful for and why. There is good evidence that after completing such interventions people feel less worried and depressed and more satisfied. However, little is known about how acceptable this approach is in the NHS.
The overall aims of the PhD (of which this study forms one part) is to develop a smartphone app to deliver positive psychological interventions to patients in primary care experiencing depression and/or anxiety and to investigate its usefulness. A smartphone app has been chosen because it is a user-friendly, non-stigmatising, and flexible way for people to access psychological interventions and the majority of people accessing psychological treatments own a smartphone. Further an app is inexpensive and could be disseminated widely to help many patients.
Current study:
Focus groups will be held with patients who have recently accessed treatment for depression and/or anxiety in primary care and clinicians delivering such treatment. Groups will explore views on positive psychology including what might affect initiation, adherence, and effectiveness. They will also discuss preferences for the content, design and targeting of the app. The data collected will be discussed with an advisory panel including patient representatives and will directly inform the design for the app. This will be built and tested in a later pilot study.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0349
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion