Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
9-2022
Abstract
While the rapid growth of mobile mental health applications has offered an avenue of support unbridled by physical distance, time, and cost, the digitalization of traditional interventions has also triggered doubts surrounding their effectiveness and safety. Given the need for a more comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of mobile mental health apps in traditional treatment, this umbrella review provides a holistic summary of their key potential and pitfalls. A total of 36 reviews published between 2014 and 2022—including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, and literature reviews—were identified from the Cochrane library, Medline (via PubMed Central), and Scopus databases. The majority of results supported the key potential of apps in helping to (1) provide timely support, (2) ease the costs of mental healthcare, (3) combat stigma in help-seeking, and (4) enhance therapeutic outcomes. Our results also identified common themes of apps’ pitfalls (i.e., challenges faced by app users), including (1) user engagement issues, (2) safety issues in emergencies, (3) privacy and confidentiality breaches, and (4) the utilization of non-evidence-based approaches. We synthesize the potential and pitfalls of mental health apps provided by the reviews and outline critical avenues for future research.
Keywords
mobile applications, mental health, technology-based care
Discipline
Health Information Technology | Health Psychology | Mental and Social Health
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Volume
12
Issue
9
First Page
1
Last Page
27
ISSN
2075-4426
Identifier
10.3390/jpm12091376
Publisher
MDPI
Citation
KOH, Jerica, TNG, Germaine Y. Q., & HARTANTO, Andree.(2022). Potential and pitfalls of mobile mental health apps in traditional treatment: An umbrella review. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(9), 1-27.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3663
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12091376
Included in
Health Information Technology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons