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ViewAttendees 8

Symposia

Technology/Digital Health

How technological innovation can be used to enhance CBT-based research and interventions: Applications of EMA, EMI, and Machine Learning

4 - (SYM 41) Mixed Methods Evaluation of Brief Mobile Interventions Targeting Stress/anxiety About Experiences of Discrimination

Friday, November 15, 2024
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM EST
Location: Liberty B, Level 3, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Body

Marginalized individuals often experience high levels of stress, including stressors tied to discrimination, yet they also often have inadequate access to mental health care. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise to improve psychological symptoms and increase access to mental health resources, but often do not address the needs of diverse populations. The present study uses mixed methods to evaluate the impact of brief DMHI sessions designed to offer support tied to experiences of discrimination (as part of a mobile app to reduce anxiety). Participants (n = 59 undergraduate students, graduate students, and university staff members) completed brief training sessions of Hoos Think Calmly, an ecological momentary intervention for a university community that uses Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretations (CBM-I) to shift anxious thinking patterns. Training sessions varied based on stressor domain selected, including academics/work/career development, physical health, social situations, finances, family and home life, mental health, romantic relationships, and discrimination. Within the discrimination domain, participants could choose from multiple resource options, including allyship, activism, community, journal, reporting, and self-care. Linear and repeated measures mixed effects models were used to test whether there are differences in (1) affect from pre- to post-session, (2) perceived ability to do cognitive reappraisal post-session, and (3) perceived ability to manage emotions post-session for training sessions completed in the discrimination domain compared to all other domains, and across resource options within the discrimination domain. Results indicate that affect is more negative post-session than pre-session following training sessions in the discrimination domain only. Additionally, reappraisal and emotion regulation efficacy are more negative following training sessions in the discrimination domain compared to training sessions in all other domains. Qualitative feedback interviews revealed that participants sometimes did not feel the types of discrimination they experienced were well captured by the program. Our findings suggest refinements are needed so DMHIs can more effectively meet the needs of marginalized communities in the moment when they experience discrimination.