Identifying risk and increasing strength: mHealth supporting youth mental health and well-being

Research output: Types of ThesisDoctoral ThesisInternal

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Abstract

The dissertation addresses the challenges in youth mental health care, including long waiting lists and insufficient prevention strategies, and explores mHealth solutions like the "Grow It!" app. This gamified application aims to promote mental well-being among young people aged 10-25 through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-inspired challenges and real-time mood monitoring using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Part 1 establishes the theoretical and data-analytical foundations, including a systematic review of effective mHealth interventions and a study identifying mood profiles predictive of depressive symptoms. Part 2 focuses on the development and evaluation of the Grow It! app. The app, co-created with stakeholders, achieved moderate to high user acceptance and showed positive effects on well-being, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the research highlights Grow It!’s potential to empower youth, normalize mood swings, and reduce reliance on healthcare professionals. Despite methodological challenges like the lack of control groups, the findings align with societal goals to improve mental health awareness and resilience among young people.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Hillegers, Manon, Supervisor
  • Keijsers, Loes, Supervisor
  • Vreeker, Annabel, Co-supervisor
Award date14 Jan 2025
Place of PublicationRotterdam
Print ISBNs978-94-6506-765-0
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jan 2025

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