Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health and well-being. Mobile mental health apps can be scalable and useful tools in large-scale disaster responses and are particularly promising for reaching vulnerable populations. COVID Coach is a free, evidence-informed mobile app designed specifically to provide tools and resources for addressing COVID-19–related stress.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize the overall usage of COVID Coach, explore retention and return usage, and assess whether the app was reaching individuals who may benefit from mental health resources.MethodsAnonymous usage data collected from COVID Coach between May 1, 2020, through October 31, 2020, were extracted and analyzed for this study. The sample included 49,287 unique user codes and 3,368,931 in-app events.ResultsUsage of interactive tools for coping and stress management comprised the majority of key app events (n=325,691, 70.4%), and the majority of app users tried a tool for managing stress (n=28,009, 58.8%). COVID Coach was utilized for ≤3 days by 80.9% (n=34,611) of the sample whose first day of app use occurred within the 6-month observation window. Usage of the key content in COVID Coach predicted returning to the app for a second day. Among those who tried at least one coping tool on their first day of app use, 57.2% (n=11,444) returned for a second visit; whereas only 46.3% (n=10,546) of those who did not try a tool returned (P<.001). Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were prevalent among app users. For example, among app users who completed an anxiety assessment on their first day of app use (n=4870, 11.4% of users), 55.1% (n=2680) reported levels of anxiety that were moderate to severe, and 29.9% (n=1455) of scores fell into the severe symptom range. On average, those with moderate levels of depression on their first day of app use returned to the app for a greater number of days (mean 3.72 days) than those with minimal symptoms (mean 3.08 days; t1=3.01, P=.003). Individuals with significant PTSD symptoms on their first day of app use utilized the app for a significantly greater number of days (mean 3.79 days) than those with fewer symptoms (mean 3.13 days; t1=2.29, P=.02).ConclusionsAs the mental health impacts of the pandemic continue to be widespread and increasing, digital health resources, such as apps like COVID Coach, are a scalable way to provide evidence-informed tools and resources. Future research is needed to better understand for whom and under what conditions the app is most helpful and how to increase and sustain engagement.
Highlights
Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-BeingIn the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 500,000 deaths, millions of job losses, and disruption of nearly every aspect of daily life
Usage of interactive tools for coping and stress management comprised the majority of key app events (n=325,691, 70.4%), and the majority of app users tried a tool for managing stress (n=28,009, 58.8%)
Due to Google’s restrictions on mobile apps related to COVID-19, COVID Coach has been installed at a ratio of over 3:1 for iOS compared to Android mobile devices
Summary
Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-BeingIn the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 500,000 deaths, millions of job losses, and disruption of nearly every aspect of daily life. One-third of American adults report a high level of psychological distress due to the pandemic [4]. In a poll conducted by Harris [5] on behalf of the American Psychological Association, nearly 8 in 10 adults said the pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives. The prevalence of depression symptoms among adults in the United States has risen from 8.5% of the population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to 27.8% in the midst of the pandemic [6]. Researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 40% of respondents of a survey administered in June 2020 endorsed at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition including symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, or having started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19. COVID Coach is a free, evidence-informed mobile app designed to provide tools and resources for addressing COVID-19–related stress
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
