Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes
Abstract BackgroundMental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly common among adolescents. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a promising way to deliver accessible cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions. However, research on the usabili...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| Online Access: | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e67137 |
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| author | Radhwan Hussein Ibrahim Marghoob Hussein Yaas Mariwan Qadir Hamarash Salwa Hazim Al-Mukhtar Mohammed Faris Abdulghani Osama Al Mushhadany |
| author_facet | Radhwan Hussein Ibrahim Marghoob Hussein Yaas Mariwan Qadir Hamarash Salwa Hazim Al-Mukhtar Mohammed Faris Abdulghani Osama Al Mushhadany |
| author_sort | Radhwan Hussein Ibrahim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundMental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly common among adolescents. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a promising way to deliver accessible cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions. However, research on the usability and effectiveness of apps explicitly tailored for adolescents is limited.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness of a mobile CBT app designed for adolescents, focusing on user experiences and mental health outcomes.
MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with 40 adolescents aged 13‐19 years (mean age 15.8, SD 1.9 years; 18/40, 45% male; 22/40, 55% female) who engaged with a CBT app for 4 weeks. Mental health diagnoses included anxiety (20/40, 50%), depression (15/40, 38%), and both (5/40, 13%). Of these, 10 (25%) of the 40 participants had previous CBT experience. Feedback was gathered through focus groups and individual interviews, and thematic analysis identified key themes related to usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness. Quantitative data on mood and anxiety scores were analyzed with paired t
ResultsThe mean usability score was 3.8 (SD 0.6), and the mean effectiveness score was 3.9 (SD 0.7). Older participants (aged 16‐19 years) reported significantly higher usability (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) and effectiveness scores (mean 4.3, SD 0.5) compared to younger participants (aged 13‐15 years) (PPPP
ConclusionsThe mobile CBT app shows potential for improving adolescent mental health, with initial improvements in mood and anxiety. Future app iterations should prioritize simplifying navigation, adding personalization features, and enhancing technical stability to support long-term engagement. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6809fcc08e0f42d798493d34d457ea42 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2561-6722 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| spelling | doaj-art-6809fcc08e0f42d798493d34d457ea422025-08-20T02:20:09ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Pediatrics and Parenting2561-67222025-04-018e67137e6713710.2196/67137Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and OutcomesRadhwan Hussein Ibrahimhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6874-890XMarghoob Hussein Yaashttp://orcid.org/0009-0002-2816-6734Mariwan Qadir Hamarashhttp://orcid.org/0009-0004-3472-6472Salwa Hazim Al-Mukhtarhttp://orcid.org/0009-0007-0223-4950Mohammed Faris Abdulghanihttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-5158-5235Osama Al Mushhadanyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5956-0801 Abstract BackgroundMental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly common among adolescents. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a promising way to deliver accessible cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions. However, research on the usability and effectiveness of apps explicitly tailored for adolescents is limited. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness of a mobile CBT app designed for adolescents, focusing on user experiences and mental health outcomes. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with 40 adolescents aged 13‐19 years (mean age 15.8, SD 1.9 years; 18/40, 45% male; 22/40, 55% female) who engaged with a CBT app for 4 weeks. Mental health diagnoses included anxiety (20/40, 50%), depression (15/40, 38%), and both (5/40, 13%). Of these, 10 (25%) of the 40 participants had previous CBT experience. Feedback was gathered through focus groups and individual interviews, and thematic analysis identified key themes related to usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness. Quantitative data on mood and anxiety scores were analyzed with paired t ResultsThe mean usability score was 3.8 (SD 0.6), and the mean effectiveness score was 3.9 (SD 0.7). Older participants (aged 16‐19 years) reported significantly higher usability (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) and effectiveness scores (mean 4.3, SD 0.5) compared to younger participants (aged 13‐15 years) (PPPP ConclusionsThe mobile CBT app shows potential for improving adolescent mental health, with initial improvements in mood and anxiety. Future app iterations should prioritize simplifying navigation, adding personalization features, and enhancing technical stability to support long-term engagement.https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e67137 |
| spellingShingle | Radhwan Hussein Ibrahim Marghoob Hussein Yaas Mariwan Qadir Hamarash Salwa Hazim Al-Mukhtar Mohammed Faris Abdulghani Osama Al Mushhadany Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| title | Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes |
| title_full | Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes |
| title_fullStr | Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes |
| title_short | Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents in Iraq via Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study of Usability and Outcomes |
| title_sort | adapting cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents in iraq via mobile apps qualitative study of usability and outcomes |
| url | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e67137 |
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