The DOI matches its Crossref record; 68 of the 68 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Engagement in mobile phone app for self-monitoring of emotional wellbeing predicts changes in mental health: MoodPrism
Abstract
Background Mobile apps are being used increasingly for mental health purposes, but evidence of their efficacy remains limited. The mechanisms underlying any effects of such apps are also unclear. This study examined the effectiveness of a self-monitoring mobile phone app by investigating the relationships between app engagement and mental health outcomes.Method Participants downloaded the MoodPrism app from the iOS and Android app stores, completing in-app assessments at start of use and again 30days later. The app prompted participants daily to complete a short mood questionnaire and formulated their responses into a mood diary. Data from 234 assessment completers (73% female; M age = 34.8 years) were analysed via hierarchical and mediation regressions.Results In this community sample, app engagement ratings predicted decreases in depression and anxiety, and increases in mental well-being. These effects were mediated by increases in emotional self-awareness, but only for participants who were clinically depressed or anxious at the time of the baseline assessment. Mental health literacy and coping self-efficacy did not play mediating roles.Limitations Findings suggest that other influential mediators may have not been measured, and future studies could verify the findings by using alternative methodologies, such as comparison with a control group.Conclusions Engaging with an emotional wellbeing self-monitoring app may reduce depressive and anxious symptoms, and increase mental well-being. Increases in emotional self-awareness may mediate these changes in clinical populations, and further research is needed to reveal other mechanisms that mental health apps can utilize.
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“While some studies suggest that self-monitoring of stress can reduce stress and depression by enhancing emotional self-awareness and regulation (e.g. Bakker and Rickard 2018)”
From Effects of a Personalized Stress Management Intervention on Maternal Mental Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial. (2025) · cites this paper as Bakker and Rickard 2018
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Metadata
- Authors
- Bakker, D., & Rickard, N.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Bakker, David
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-02
- Volume
- 227
- Pages
- 432-442
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2767558581
- Cited by
- 231
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 13.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- beyondblue
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- mental health apps, app engagement, self-monitoring, emotional well-being, mood tracking, emotional self-awareness, depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, mental health literacy, coping self-efficacy, mediation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Awareness, Depressive Disorder, Emotions, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Psychometrics, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Care, Software, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Cell Phone, Young Adult, Mobile Applications
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