M Deady1, D Peters2, H Lang1, R Calvo2, N Glozier3, H Christensen4, S B Harvey1,4,5. 1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. 2. School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. 3. Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. 4. Black Dog Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia. 5. St George Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emergency service workers are often exposed to trauma and have increased risk of a range of mental health (MH) conditions. Smartphone applications have the potential to provide this group with effective psychological interventions; however, little is known about the acceptability and preferences regarding such initiatives. AIMS: To describe the preferences and opinions of emergency service workers regarding the use of smartphone MH applications and to examine the impact of age on these preferences. METHODS: Participants were recruited from four metropolitan Fire and Rescue NSW stations and responded to questionnaire items covering three key domains: current smartphone use, potential future use and preferences for design and content as well as therapeutic techniques. RESULTS: Overall, approximately half the sample (n = 106) claimed they would be interested in trying a tailored emergency-worker MH smartphone application. There were few differences between age groups on preferences. The majority of respondents claimed they would use an app for mental well-being daily and preferred terms such as 'well-being' and 'mental fitness' for referring to MH. Confidentiality, along with a focus on stress, sleep, exercise and resiliency were all considered key features. Behavioural therapeutic techniques were regarded most favourably, compared with other therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency workers were interested in utilizing smartphone applications focused on MH, but expressed clear preferences regarding language used in promotion, features required and therapeutic techniques preferred.
BACKGROUND: Emergency service workers are often exposed to trauma and have increased risk of a range of mental health (MH) conditions. Smartphone applications have the potential to provide this group with effective psychological interventions; however, little is known about the acceptability and preferences regarding such initiatives. AIMS: To describe the preferences and opinions of emergency service workers regarding the use of smartphone MH applications and to examine the impact of age on these preferences. METHODS: Participants were recruited from four metropolitan Fire and Rescue NSW stations and responded to questionnaire items covering three key domains: current smartphone use, potential future use and preferences for design and content as well as therapeutic techniques. RESULTS: Overall, approximately half the sample (n = 106) claimed they would be interested in trying a tailored emergency-worker MH smartphone application. There were few differences between age groups on preferences. The majority of respondents claimed they would use an app for mental well-being daily and preferred terms such as 'well-being' and 'mental fitness' for referring to MH. Confidentiality, along with a focus on stress, sleep, exercise and resiliency were all considered key features. Behavioural therapeutic techniques were regarded most favourably, compared with other therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency workers were interested in utilizing smartphone applications focused on MH, but expressed clear preferences regarding language used in promotion, features required and therapeutic techniques preferred.
Authors: M Deady; D A Johnston; N Glozier; D Milne; I Choi; A Mackinnon; A Mykletun; R A Calvo; A Gayed; R Bryant; H Christensen; S B Harvey Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Mark Deady; David Johnston; David Milne; Nick Glozier; Dorian Peters; Rafael Calvo; Samuel Harvey Journal: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth Date: 2018-12-04 Impact factor: 4.773
Authors: Daniel A J Collins; Samuel B Harvey; Isobel Lavender; Nicholas Glozier; Helen Christensen; Mark Deady Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-16 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Judith Borghouts; Elizabeth Eikey; Gloria Mark; Cinthia De Leon; Stephen M Schueller; Margaret Schneider; Nicole Stadnick; Kai Zheng; Dana Mukamel; Dara H Sorkin Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-03-24 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Isabelle Counson; Alexandra Bartholomew; Joanna Crawford; Katherine Petrie; Geetanjali Basarkod; Victoria Moynihan; Josie Pires; Rachel Cohen; Nicholas Glozier; Samuel Harvey; Samineh Sanatkar Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2021-12-02
Authors: Mark Deady; David A Johnston; Nick Glozier; David Milne; Isabella Choi; Andrew Mackinnon; Arnstein Mykletun; Rafael A Calvo; Aimee Gayed; Richard Bryant; Helen Christensen; Samuel B Harvey Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-07-13 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Mark Deady; Nicholas Glozier; Daniel Collins; Rochelle Einboden; Isobel Lavender; Alexis Wray; Aimee Gayed; Rafael A Calvo; Helen Christensen; Samuel B Harvey; Isabella Choi Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-09-04