Dubad, Muna, Winsper, Catherine, Meyer, Caroline, Livanou, Maria and Marwaha, Steven (2018) A systematic review of the psychometric properties, usability, and clinical impacts of mobile mood-monitoring applications in young people. Psychological Medicine, 48 (2). pp. 208-228. doi:10.1017/S0033291717001659

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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 3 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 30-99% 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.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Youth -- Mental health, Telecommunication in medicine, Young adults -- Mental health, Mood (Psychology) in adolescence , Affective disorders, Mood (Psychology), Mobile apps
Journal or Publication Title:	Psychological Medicine
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0033-2917
Official Date:	January 2018
Dates:	Date Event January 2018 Published 23 June 2017 Available 23 May 2017 Accepted
Date of first compliant deposit:	25 May 2017
Volume:	48
Number:	2
Number of Pages:	21
Page Range:	pp. 208-228
DOI:	10.1017/S0033291717001659
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC), Research Councils UK (RCUK)
Grant number:	ES/J500203 (ESRC)

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