ArticlePsychology and psychotherapy2023
Mental health mobile application self-help for adolescents exhibiting psychological distress: A single case experimental design.
Article in Psychology and psychotherapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Opportunities and challenges in leveraging digital technology for mental health system strengthening: a systematic review to inform interventions in the United Arab Emirates.BMC public health · 2024Pooled it
- Mobile applications in adolescent psychotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.Frontiers in public health · 2024Pooled it
- Unified protocol in online group versus blended format for treating emotional disorders in university students: Preliminary results on feasibility at 6-month follow-up.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2026Article
- The Impact of Smartphone Use on Brain Function in Adolescence: A Scoping Review.Pediatric reports · 2026Review
- Improving Experimental Designs for Interventions to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence: Protocol for Refinements to Single-Case Experimental Design for a Safety Planning Intervention in Ontario, Canada.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Mental health mobile application self-help for adolescents exhibiting psychological distress: A single case experimental design.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2023Article
- Effective elements of eHealth interventions for mental health and well-being in children and adolescents: A systematic review.Digital healthReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe present demand for child and adolescent mental health services exceeds the capacity for service provision. Greater research is required to understand the utility of accessible self-help interventions, such as mobile apps. This study sought to investigate whether use of a mental health app, underpinned by CBT, led to changes in psychological distress amongst adolescents. Mechanisms of change were examined, specifically whether changes are attributable to cognitive strategies.
designThis study utilised a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design, tracking variables across baseline and intervention phases. Surveys assessing participant experience were also administered.
methodsFive participants with moderate-to-severe levels of psychological distress engaged with a CBT-based app over five weeks. Participants were recruited from both a well-being service and the general population. Supplementary weekly calls to participants offered clarification of app content.
resultsA small overall effect of the intervention of psychological distress was evident; however, outcomes were dependent on the analysis conducted. The intervention appeared to promote an increase in use of adaptive cognitive strategies but not negative thinking styles. The CBT app did not promote changes in participant well-being. Participant feedback highlighted practical challenges of utilising the app.
conclusionsThe clinical benefits of app-based CBT were small, and a range of barriers to engagement were recognised. While further research is required, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of studies reporting on app effectiveness.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.