A systematic review of the psychometric properties, usability and clinical impacts of mobile mood-monitoring applications in young people

M Dubad, C Winsper, C Meyer, M Livanou, S Marwaha

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
185 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mobile mood-monitoring applications are increasingly used by mental health providers, widely advocated within research, and a potentially effective method to engage young people. However, little is known about their efficacy and usability in young populations.

METHOD: A systematic review addressing three research questions focused on young people: (1) what are the psychometric properties of mobile mood-monitoring applications; (2) what is their usability; and (3) what are their positive and negative clinical impacts? Findings were synthesised narratively, study quality assessed and compared with evidence from adult studies.

RESULTS: We reviewed 25 articles. Studies on the psychometric properties of mobile mood-monitoring applications were sparse, but indicate questionable to excellent internal consistency, moderate concurrent validity and good usability. Participation rates ranged from 30% to 99% across studies, and appeared to be affected by methodological factors (e.g. payments) and individual characteristics (e.g. IQ score). Mobile mood-monitoring applications are positively perceived by youth, may reduce depressive symptoms by increasing emotional awareness, and could aid in the detection of mental health and substance use problems. There was very limited evidence on potential negative impacts.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the use of mood-monitoring applications in youth is promising but limited due to a lack of high-quality studies. Future work should explicate the effects of mobile mood-monitoring applications on effective self-regulation, clinical outcomes across disorders and young people's engagement with mental health services. Potential negative impacts in this population should also be investigated, as the adult literature suggests that application use could potentially increase negativity and depression symptoms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)208-228
Number of pages21
JournalPsychological Medicine
Volume48
Issue number2
Early online date23 Jun 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders/diagnosis
  • Mobile Applications
  • Psychometrics/instrumentation
  • Young Adult

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