Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42087244›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2026

Development, expert validation, and pilot testing of digital mental health literacy program for Filipino college students.

Mark Allan C Mananggit, Ungsinun Intarakamhang, Kanu Priya Mohan, Amir Ledesma, Joel Collado, Klara Patricia Laureta, Joan Katrina Balmilero-Pelagio, Rochelle Ann V Pararuan, Ferlyn F Reyes-Colar, Irene G Bustos and 1 more

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Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Mark Allan C MananggitBehavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Ungsinun IntarakamhangBehavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. ungsinun@g.swu.ac.th.
Kanu Priya MohanBehavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Amir LedesmaScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Joel ColladoScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Klara Patricia LauretaScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Joan Katrina Balmilero-PelagioScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Rochelle Ann V PararuanScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Ferlyn F Reyes-ColarScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Irene G BustosScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Jay C SantosScience City of Muñoz, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe growing number of mental health problems globally and in the Philippines, particularly among young adults, demands not just low-cost but effective and science-based interventions. This was especially needed in places where traditional mental health interventions were not easily accessible. This study reported the conceptualization, expert validation, and piloting feasibility and usability of a digital mental health literacy program for Filipino college students.

methodsThe development of the program was composed of three distinct but connected phases using the methodological framework of the Theory of Change model. Phase 1involved the development of program through the collaboration of university-based mental health professionals. The program was grounded in a causal model of the relationship between mental health literacy, help-seeking behavior, and psychological well-being among Filipino college students, and the mental health literacy framework of Anthony Jorm [1]. In phase 2, experts in the field validated the program's content using a researcher-made survey questionnaire. Phase 3 is pilot testing of the program to 10 participants; a focus group discussion was conducted to document user experiences, feasibility and usability of the program.

resultsThe program was a 12-module program with a 6-week duration and integrated three key digital components: psychoeducational videos, online group forums, and self-help modules. Thematic analysis was used in focus group discussions with 10 participants of the pilot study. Expert validation indicated high levels of content relevance and clarity, suggesting strong alignment with the objectives of the program. Three themes emerged in the thematic analysis of the focus group discussion: enhanced self-awareness, perceived program efficacy, usability, and barriers to engagement. Participants reported improved awareness and vocabulary regarding mental and emotional health due to its structured design. Participants also described the platform of the program as user-friendly, particularly appreciating its web-based and mobile app availability. On the other hand, recommendations for improvements were also identified, such as increasing the duration of the program, adding more personalized and interactive features, and ensuring the availability of peer support.

conclusionThe findings provided preliminary evidence on the feasibility and usability of the digital mental health literacy program for Filipino college students. The pilot results indicated strong potential for implementation and further testing. Future studies with larger samples and more rigorous research designs were needed to examine the effectiveness of the program on mental health outcomes such as help-seeking behavior and psychological well-being.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyMental HealthProgram DevelopmentStudentsAdultDigital HealthFemaleHumansMalePhilippinesPilot ProjectsUniversitiesYoung AdultDigital mental health literacy programHelp-seeking behaviorMental health literacyProgram developmentPsychological well-beingTheory of change

Identifiers

PMID42087244
PMCPMC13352822

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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.