The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health
IntroductionDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise in improving children's mental health, but there is limited understanding of how technology and screen media influence treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to leverage retrospective data to explore the relationshi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Digital Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1556468/full |
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| author | Kelsey McAlister Darian Lawrence-Sidebottom Donna McCutchen Monika Roots Jennifer Huberty Jennifer Huberty |
| author_facet | Kelsey McAlister Darian Lawrence-Sidebottom Donna McCutchen Monika Roots Jennifer Huberty Jennifer Huberty |
| author_sort | Kelsey McAlister |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise in improving children's mental health, but there is limited understanding of how technology and screen media influence treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to leverage retrospective data to explore the relationships of technology and screen media use with mental health symptoms among children participating in a pediatric DMHI.MethodsChildren ages 6–12 years who participated in a DMHI, Bend Health Inc, in the United States were included. Caregivers reported their child's screen media use and mental health symptoms every 30 days. Associations of screen media use with mental health symptoms were examined at baseline and throughout DMHI participation.ResultsNearly all children (98.0%) used screen media, with 58.3% exhibiting problematic use and 23.2% showing elevated use at baseline. Elevated screen media use was associated with more severe depressive (z = 2.19, P = .022) and anxiety symptoms (z = 2.36, P = .019) at baseline, though associations differed by type. Video streaming, internet use, and gaming were linked to inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior (P's < 0.05). While screen media use decreased for most children during care (93.1%), those with elevated use showed marginally greater improvements in anxiety (z = −1.87, P = .062) and inattention symptoms (z = −1.90, P = .058).DiscussionFindings suggest a nuanced interaction between technology use and DMHIs. Future research should explore the specific contexts of screen media use to optimize DMHI effectiveness and address the potential adverse effects of certain screen media activities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-989f208653354352bb00cdac7e1a41f1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-253X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-989f208653354352bb00cdac7e1a41f12025-08-20T02:13:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Digital Health2673-253X2025-05-01710.3389/fdgth.2025.15564681556468The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend HealthKelsey McAlister0Darian Lawrence-Sidebottom1Donna McCutchen2Monika Roots3Jennifer Huberty4Jennifer Huberty5Fit Minded, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, United StatesBend Health Inc., Madison, WI, United StatesBend Health Inc., Madison, WI, United StatesBend Health Inc., Madison, WI, United StatesFit Minded, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, United StatesBend Health Inc., Madison, WI, United StatesIntroductionDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise in improving children's mental health, but there is limited understanding of how technology and screen media influence treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to leverage retrospective data to explore the relationships of technology and screen media use with mental health symptoms among children participating in a pediatric DMHI.MethodsChildren ages 6–12 years who participated in a DMHI, Bend Health Inc, in the United States were included. Caregivers reported their child's screen media use and mental health symptoms every 30 days. Associations of screen media use with mental health symptoms were examined at baseline and throughout DMHI participation.ResultsNearly all children (98.0%) used screen media, with 58.3% exhibiting problematic use and 23.2% showing elevated use at baseline. Elevated screen media use was associated with more severe depressive (z = 2.19, P = .022) and anxiety symptoms (z = 2.36, P = .019) at baseline, though associations differed by type. Video streaming, internet use, and gaming were linked to inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior (P's < 0.05). While screen media use decreased for most children during care (93.1%), those with elevated use showed marginally greater improvements in anxiety (z = −1.87, P = .062) and inattention symptoms (z = −1.90, P = .058).DiscussionFindings suggest a nuanced interaction between technology use and DMHIs. Future research should explore the specific contexts of screen media use to optimize DMHI effectiveness and address the potential adverse effects of certain screen media activities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1556468/fullanxietydepressionattention-deficit hyperactivity disordertherapybehavioral health coachingcognitive behavioral therapy |
| spellingShingle | Kelsey McAlister Darian Lawrence-Sidebottom Donna McCutchen Monika Roots Jennifer Huberty Jennifer Huberty The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health Frontiers in Digital Health anxiety depression attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder therapy behavioral health coaching cognitive behavioral therapy |
| title | The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health |
| title_full | The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health |
| title_fullStr | The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health |
| title_short | The role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention: a retrospective analysis of Bend Health |
| title_sort | role of technology and screen media use in treatment outcomes of children participating in a digital mental health intervention a retrospective analysis of bend health |
| topic | anxiety depression attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder therapy behavioral health coaching cognitive behavioral therapy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1556468/full |
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