Investigating the Role of Situational Disruptors in Engagement with Digital Mental Health Tools

TL;DR

This study highlights the impact of users' social and personal contexts on engagement with digital mental health tools, emphasizing the importance of addressing situational disruptors for improved effectiveness.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of situational engagement disruptors and explores user-centered solutions to enhance engagement in digital mental health interventions.

Findings

Identification of key situational disruptors like personal responsibilities and health issues

Proposed strategies such as goal-setting and external resource utilization

Challenging traditional views on engagement in digital mental health

Abstract

Challenges in engagement with digital mental health (DMH) tools are commonly addressed through technical enhancements and algorithmic interventions. This paper shifts the focus towards the role of users' broader social context as a significant factor in engagement. Through an eight-week text messaging program aimed at enhancing psychological wellbeing, we recruited 20 participants to help us identify situational engagement disruptors (SEDs), including personal responsibilities, professional obligations, and unexpected health issues. In follow-up design workshops with 25 participants, we explored potential solutions that address such SEDs: prioritizing self-care through structured goal-setting, alternative framings for disengagement, and utilization of external resources. Our findings challenge conventional perspectives on engagement and offer actionable design implications for future DMH tools.