Usability and Acceptability of Digital Phenotyping for Mental Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the Usability and Acceptability of Digital Phenotyping for Mental Health and Well-being
IRAS ID
332246
Contact name
Donncha Hanna
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Digital phenotyping or collecting users' smartphone usage data can help in effectively analyzing the mental health and well-being of users. Digital phenotyping based mobile apps have potential benefits, helping towards improving the well-being of individuals through early detection of mental illness. However, before the commercial launch of the corresponding technology, it is essential to take feedback from different participant groups to assess the degree to which these groups are willing and able to engage with the app. This will also help to understand participants’ concerns and suggestions for improvements, and strategies that need to be altered in the design and implementation, before the launch of the technology.
This research study aims to analyze the acceptability and usability of a digital phenotyping mobile app predicting mental health and well-being and to understand the attitude towards the app, in three different groups of participants. The first focus group is help-seeking young people (16-18 years old), the second focus group is help-seeking young adults (18-35 years old), and the third is the focus group of healthcare professionals. In each of the focus groups the study aims to recruit around 6 to 7 participants. Initially, each of the focus groups is given a brief presentation about the mobile app, demonstrating how it works and what it does. The participants will not use the app and the app will never collect any data from them. Instead, initially, the participants will need to complete a short pen and paper based survey that consists of their views and perceptions about the mobile app. Later, we will allocate the participants to evaluate the app using an open-ended question-answer section. Thematic or content analysis methods over the participants' feedback will be used to understand the attitudes of the participants.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0346
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion