Developing a Theoretical Framework for Evaluating the Quality of mHealth Apps for Adolescent Users: A Systematic Review
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE To assess adolescents' preferred mobile app features and to propose a framework for evaluating health-related mobile apps for adolescents. METHODS PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, HealthIT.gov , and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched in August 2017. Studies pertaining to app development, feasibility, or usability that reported preferred app features and rating criteria on mHealth (mobile health) apps intended for adolescents were included. Quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Qualitative synthesis was performed to develop themes reflecting best practices for evaluating the quality of mHealth apps for adolescents. Using a grounded theory approach, we constructed a theoretical framework of rating criteria that can be used to inform development of an evaluation tool for mHealth apps targeted to adolescents. RESULTS Thirteen articles were included. Most commonly preferred features include ability to track test results or self-management progress, connect to social media, and gain points or prizes through app gamification. Common rating criteria include degree of app customizability, ease of use, visual appeal, and interactivity. Five emerging dimensions were used in the theoretical framework: Technical Quality; Engagement; Support System; Autonomy; and Safety, Privacy, and Trust. CONCLUSIONS We found that adolescents prefer mHealth apps that are customizable, offer peer support through social media, sustain engagement via gamification, and support the ability to visualize health trends via simplified graphs. Findings may help in the development of mHealth apps that are preferred by adolescents, as well as the development of a quality evaluation tool for mHealth apps targeted to this population.
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60% (6/10) of studies in this category focused on overall evaluation of mHealth apps, including quality assessment, review of official frameworks such as APA, and frameworks to support decision-making in choosing mHealth apps for research purposes.
“Most of the studies in this category 60% (6/10) focused on overall evaluation of mHealth apps, including quality assessment [86], [89], review of of cial frameworks such as APA [5], and frameworks to support decision-making in choosing mHealth apps for research purposes [87].”
From Security and Privacy of mHealth Applications: A Scoping Review (2020) · cites this paper as [86]
Providing a theoretical framework of rating criteria that can be used to inform development of an evaluation tool for mHealth apps was a common objective of the frameworks at the early stage.
“Ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive medical data in health apps [85] or providing ''a theoretical framework of rating criteria'' that can be used to inform development of an evaluation tool for mHealth apps [86] were common objectives of the frameworks (Table 3, green colour).”
From Security and Privacy of mHealth Applications: A Scoping Review (2020) · cites this paper as [86]
Some limitations concern the generalisability of findings due to specific healthcare settings and problem areas, patient populations, or categories of apps reviewed.
“Some limitations concern the generalisability of ndings, which could be due to speci c healthcare settings and problem areas [5], patient populations included in the studies [86], or the categories of apps reviewed [88].”
From Security and Privacy of mHealth Applications: A Scoping Review (2020) · cites this paper as [86]
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Security and Privacy of mHealth Applications: A Scoping Review
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“Some limitations concern the generalisability of findings, which could be due to specific healthcare settings and problem areas [5], patient populations included in the studies [86], or the categories of apps reviewed [88].”
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“A recent systematic review in 2019 reviewed adolescents’ preferences for app features in health-related applications and identified an ability to customise, enhanced engagement through gamification, social media linking and observing their health trends were important to this population [62].”
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Una Revisión sistemática de instrumentos que evalúan la calidad de aplicaciones móviles de salud
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“In doing so, the design and functional user requirements for mHealth app are described (9,13,37) and function (algorithms, expert generated content) preferences with mHealth apps align and expand with current literature on this topic (9,13,37).”
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“However, mHealth interventions also need to be tailored to support adolescents’ engagement in healthy behaviours long-term (Jeminiwa et al., 2019; Shin et al., 2019).”
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“Such features may improve engagement and help strengthen social support systems for young patients [33,34], although these would introduce safeguarding and privacy issues.”
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“This is facilitated by increasing levels of smartphone accessibility among teenagers, and their familiarity and ease with new technologies [16,18].”
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“Recent research suggests that mobile health interventions, such as EMIs, may be useful for promoting youth engagement in positive health behaviors (Jeminiwa et al., 2019).”
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“…population also prefers customizable apps, with access to peer-topeer interaction through social networks, where gamification becomes an important resource for their continuity in the program and in which simple and visual graphs are displayed on their course and evolution (Jeminiwa et al, 2019).”
BackgroundMüssener, U., Örn, M., Olbers, T., Löf, M., & Sjögren, L. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064893 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Mobile Apps for the Personal Safety of At-Risk Children and Youth: Scoping Review
Bowen‐Forbes, C. S., Khondaker, T., Stafinski, T., Hadizadeh, M., & Menon, D. (2024) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/58127 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“However, the authors of this paper modified it to include “esthetics” (included as a subcategory of “engagement” in the framework by Jeminiwa et al [51]) as a distinct category to cover layout, graphics, and visual appeal.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialTomczyk, S. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.899092 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“From a user-centered design perspective, establishing transparent privacy policies and data security measures is paramount (Azhar and Dhillon, 2016; Adjekum et al., 2018; Jeminiwa et al., 2019).”
BackgroundMemiah, P. T. N., Lathan-Dye, M., Opanga, Y., Muhula, S. O., Gitahi, N., Kamau, A., & Otiso, L. (2022) · Adolescents · doi:10.3390/adolescents2020014 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Mobile apps offer privacy compared to face-to-face meetings with healthcare providers and provide tailored, confidential health information without stigma or judgment [27].”
BackgroundJohansen, S. K., Kanstrup, A. M., Thomsen, J. L., Christensen, M. N., & Rathleff, M. S. (2023) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076231205750 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…by re fl ecting on how persuasive elements like customization, goal setting, tutorials, and using features for exploring, tailoring, and visualizing self-management efforts may contribute to sustaining adolescents adherence, as observed by Jeminiwa et al. 75 in adolescents with chronic conditions.”
BackgroundInfluentialMagnuson, K. I., Li, K., Beuley, G., & Ryan-Pettes, S. R. (2024) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/51273 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“This practice of personalizing the layout and design has also been noted in previous literature reviews [72], suggesting consistent focus across populations and areas of study.”
BackgroundMethodMateo‐Orcajada, A., Abenza‐Cano, L., López-Miñarro, P. Á., Meroño, L., Guerrero, A. M. G., Morales-Belando, M. T., González-Gálvez, N., Espeso-García, A., Abelleira-Lamela, T., Gómez-Cuesta, N., et al. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0322074 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“This is similar to previous research, where was observed that one of the main preferences of adolescents in mHealth apps is that they offer peer support through social media [93].”
“Ask yourself WHY you want to track yourself”: Co-Designing a Self-Tracking Guide with Teenagers
Freeman, J. L., & Curtis, A. N. (2022) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3491101.3519650 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Peuters, C., DeSmet, A., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Debeer, D., & Crombez, G. (2025) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/59041 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“These findings confirm previous research highlighting the importance of technical quality and ease of use for mHealth engagement [45,46].”
Rechenberg, K., Koerner, R., Geiss, C., & Menon, U. (2024) · Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing · doi:10.1080/24694193.2024.2351909 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Other key factors include having rewards for meeting certain goals within the program or “gamifica-tion” (Jeminiwa et al., 2019).”
BackgroundMethodThe WeThrive App and Its Impact on Adolescents Who Menstruate: Qualitative Study
MacNeil, N., Price, V. E., & Pike, M. (2024) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/57936 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Our study findings add to a previously published systematic review examining the preferred features of mHealth apps in adolescents [10].”
BackgroundResultAlmohanna, A. A. S., Vlahu‐Gjorgievska, E., Meedya, S., & Win, K. T. (2024) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2024.2434901 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Moreover, these construct items could inform the ongoing conversation on the expectancies of the trustworthiness of mHealth apps (Byambasuren et al. 2020; Chatzipavlou, Christoforidou, and Vlacho-poulou 2016; Jeminiwa et al. 2019).”
Radtke, U., & Wohllebe, A. (2025) · International Journal of Digital Health and Telemedicine · doi:10.51137/wrp.ijdht.2025.urmw.45663 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Dinç, F., Kurt, A., & Yıldız, D. (2025) · Journal of Pediatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2025.04.012 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Aplicaciones móviles de calidad que promueven hábitos saludables en menores
Hueros, A. M. D., & Morales, C. D. (2022) · EDMETIC · doi:10.21071/edmetic.v11i1.13832 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Asimismo, Jeminiwa et al. (2019) ponen de relieve que la población joven prefiere aplicaciones móviles de salud que mantengan el compromiso por medio de la gamificación.”
BackgroundOh, W., Park, I. T., Han, J., Lee, E., & Lee, A. S. Y. (2023) · Journal of Pediatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2023.04.008 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Moorthy, P. (2023) · ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp) · doi:10.1145/3594739.3610767 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Gazibara, T. M., Cakić, M., Cakić, J., Grgurević, A., & Pekemezovic, T. (2024) · Journal of Research in Health Sciences · doi:10.34172/jrhs.2024.154 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“13,18,19 Although health apps have the potential for health promotion among youth, not all health apps are equally effective in helping the users to achieve higher levels of fitness, desired body image/composition or ensure long-term health benefits.”
BackgroundLeveling Up Mental Well-Being: Harnessing the Power of Gamification Using Machine Learning
Milaghardan, M. H. A., Vasudavan, H., Goh, W., & Balakrishnan, S. (2023) · IEEE Student Conference on Research and Development (SCOReD) · doi:10.1109/scored60679.2023.10563504 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Current mental health applications tend to favor relaxation and stress management techniques more than daily behavior assessments [7].”
BackgroundChallenges of asthma therapy adherence in adolescents and solutions (literature review)
Letova, N. O., & Леонидовна, П. Н. (2024) · Bulletin physiology and pathology of respiration · doi:10.36604/1998-5029-2024-93-132-140 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Morales, C. D., Hueros, A. M. D., Merino-Godoy, M.-D.-L.-Á., & Vélez, S. C. (2025) · Revista de Educación a Distancia (RED) · doi:10.6018/red.632871 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Li, S. H., Achilles, M. R., Werner‐Seidler, A., Beames, J. R., Subotic-Kerry, M., & O’Dea, B. (2022) · doi:10.2196/preprints.37640
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2023) · doi:10.2196/preprints.45668
Dietvorst, E., Hillegers, M. H. J., Legerstee, J. S., Vreeker, A., & Keijsers, L. (2023) · doi:10.2196/preprints.47511
Ha, Y., Lee, J., Shin, K., Moon, J. H., & Kim, K.-H. (2023) · Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers · doi:10.7232/jkiie.2023.49.2.187
Remote longitudinal tracking of sleep, depression, and cognition across early adolescence (Preprint)Preprint
Simon, K. C. N. S., Galut, L., Polk, S., Iwata, S., Abbasian, M., Rahmani, A. M., Rao, U., Borelli, J. L., & Mednick, S. C. (2025) · doi:10.2196/preprints.86345
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26658820
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26658823
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26658811
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26658817
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., Paepe, A. L. D., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K., & Crombez, G. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26658814
Morales, C. D., & Hueros, A. M. D. (2026) · Edutec Revista Electrónica de Tecnología Educativa · doi:10.21556/edutec.2026.95.4347
Kajiramugabi, F. M., Côté, J., Bourbonnais, A., Arbour, C., Chagnon, M., & Hatem, M. (2026) · doi:10.2196/preprints.102498
Simon, K. C. N. S., Galut, L., Polk, S., Iwata, S., Shen, W., Abbasian, M., Rahmani, A. M., Rao, U., Borelli, J. L., & Mednick, S. C. (2026) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/86345
“…disentanglement of long-term trajectories from the relative contributions of sleep and depressive symptoms across different time scales throughout development. mHealth assessment increases access and participation feasibility and simplifies intensive repeated-testing procedures in youths [93-95].”
Kajiramugabi, F. M., Côté, J., Bourbonnais, A., Arbour, C., Chagnon, M., & Hatem, M. (2026) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/102498
- Authors
- Jeminiwa, R. N., Hohmann, N. S., & Fox, B. I.
- Venue
- The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Publisher
- The Pediatric Pharmacy Association
- Published
- 2019
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 254-269
- ISSN
- 1551-6776 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6633275
- OpenAlex
- W2956703980
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6
- FWCI
- 1.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Health, Technology, Consumer Behavior
- Keywords
- mobile health apps, adolescents, app quality assessment, theoretical framework, app features, gamification, social media, peer support, usability, engagement, trust and privacy, autonomy, self-management, grading criteria
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