Abstract
Background: Web-based and mobile mental health applications for the prevention and treatment of common mental disorders (CMDs) are on the rise. Under certain circumstances they have proved to be effective for a range of conditions (e.g., depression).Objective: There is not sufficient evidence regarding the benefits and barriers especially for mobile phone apps and for programs in the field of primary prevention. Studies on the acceptance of potential users of mental health apps yielded mixed outcomes. In a large survey we investigated the attitudes of employees toward mental health apps and various traditional mental health services. Our main research question in this contribution focuses on the acceptance of apps compared to other measures and the moderating influence of individual characteristics.Methods: The standardized survey was completed by members of an online access panel with different job types. A set of 33 self-developed items, including three questions on e-health, captured the perceived relevance of prevention at the (A) occupational, (B) individual, and (C) societal level. On the basis of an exploratory factor analysis, mean scores for mapping seven (sub-)dimensions were constructed and compared using the Wilcoxon test. The influence of potential predictors was analyzed in linear regression models.Results: The data of 610 respondents were analyzed (response rate 75%). Support from mental health applications was rated significantly less important compared to all other dimensions at the levels (A) to (C). Respondents were more likely to use mental health apps if they felt literate with electronic devices, perceived a high relevance of work-related demands as causal factors for CMDs, stated they would be ashamed of having a CMD, and would be willing to begin psychotherapy if recommended.Discussion and Conclusions: The results confirm the critical attitudes of potential mental health app users found in other studies. Since users with a negative attitude toward e-health might have a higher risk for dropout and non-adherence as well as lower intervention effects, well-designed educational strategies should be carried out beforehand.
Highlights
In the working population common mental disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety disorders, are becoming increasingly prevalent [1,2,3,4]
In our study “PHOEBE II,” we investigated the attributed relevance of different prevention approaches from employees’ points-of-view [15, 16]
We pointed out the difference between attitudes toward e-mental health and mmental health applications and evaluated individual factors and opinions as moderator variables of the respondents’ attitudes
Summary
In the working population common mental disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety disorders, are becoming increasingly prevalent [1,2,3,4]. Guided online interventions for preventing and treating CMDs and blended treatment, that is, the combination of face-toface and digital approaches, may on the one hand be considered effective for people who are incapable or not willing to use other services [8]. These services can be compensatory for long waiting periods for therapy or increase access to, as well as the reach and sustainability of traditional services for people with increasing problems [9]. Under certain circumstances they have proved to be effective for a range of conditions (e.g., depression)
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