College student engagement with mental health apps: analysis of barriers to sustained use
Abstract
Objective: College students’demand for mental health resources is straining the services offered by colleges. While mobile apps demonstrate potential to help, students’ engagement with these apps remains low. This study examines why college students show poor engagement with mental health apps and how apps may be adapted to suit this population. Participants: Participants were a convenience sample of 100 college students. Methods: Qualitative data was gathered through individual online interviews concerningattitudes toward mental health apps, and quantitative data was gathered through a survey about phone and app use. Results: Students were interested in mental health apps. 53% haddownloaded an app at one point, but only 19% currently used a mental health app. Stress and costdrove mental health app choices. Responses around engagement centered on: Data privacy, user interface, credibility, and customization. Conclusions: Students have specific wants for mental health apps including safety, simplicity, credibility, and customizability.
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If a digital tool is not used for a recommended period, it is unlikely that it will have the intended effect.
“if the tool is not used for a recommended period, it is unlikely that it will have the intended effect [17,18]”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
The fit between university students' needs and the delivered content is an especially important feature.
“The fit between their needs and the delivered content was indicated to be an especially important feature among university students [18]”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
Creating a system that can suggest content relevant to its users has been indicated as a top priority for university students to engage and remain engaged in an MH app.
“Creating a system that can suggest content relevant to its users has been indicated as a top priority for university students to engage and remain engaged in an MH app [18].”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
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- Authors
- Melcher, J., Camacho, E., Lagan, S., & Torous, J.
- Affiliations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Torous, John
- Venue
- Journal of American College Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-10-13
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1819-1825
- ISSN
- 0164-4300 (ISSN-L)
- 0744-8481
- 1940-3208
- OpenAlex
- W3092511221
- Cited by
- 106
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 4 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 9.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of American College Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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 › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- mental health apps, university students, app engagement, data privacy, user interface, credibility, customization, student stress, mobile mental health
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Mental Health, Surveys and Questionnaires, Students, Universities, Mobile Applications
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