Pursuing clarity of purpose and generalizable research practices for mental health apps and recommendations

Hyllested Pedersen, Casper (2025) Pursuing clarity of purpose and generalizable research practices for mental health apps and recommendations. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Mental health issues are a diverse and widespread problem. Whilst effective treatments and solutions exist, numerous obstacles make it difficult to deliver them to the people who need them. One promising way to lower access barriers is through mental health apps, a ubiquitous, often inexpensive solution. Furthermore, through the existence of recommender systems, delivery of content within the app can be personalized, allowing for the personal tailoring of a widely available resource. Yet whilst there have been some promising results in the field regarding their efficacy, commercial deployment is outpacing the supporting science. Many apps are untested, there are very few unifying methodological frameworks in place and a shallow understanding of mechanisms of change. The research that does exist is comprised mostly of exploration and testing of novel algorithms or solutions leading to little coherence between studies and generalizability of findings is largely unknown. Whilst, to some extent, this is to be expected in early-stage research, it would be far more beneficial in the long run to pursue foundational improvements now rather than later.

This thesis aims to address these issues, to shore up the foundations of research into mental health apps and recommender systems, to identify generalizable practices and pursue a deeper understanding of how we can enable positive mental health change. The current work focuses on establishing the link between engagement and mental health outcomes, as research in the field has a tendency to make assumptions regarding the beneficial effects of increased engagement. Through a systematic review of recommender systems in the mental health context and three studies, we evaluate how recommendations can be tailored towards both outcomes, how we can increase congruence in research by clear, goal-oriented definition of variables, and whether academic research translates to real world effects. The current work investigates the influence of financial incentivization on engagement and mental health outcomes, analyzes a commercial dataset gathered over several years and explores the relationship between different character traits, behaviors, facets of engagement and short-term and long-term mental health outcomes across a number of domains. In the final chapter the disparate threads will be brought together, presenting broadly applicable recommendations for how researchers can structure individual research to generate more cohesive value in the field as a whole, and suggest how future research may continue to pursue a stronger foundational understanding of mental health change.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; T Technology > T Technology (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Scheepers, Dr. Christoph and Matic, Dr. Aleksandar
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-84932
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 26 Feb 2025 11:50
• Last Modified: 26 Feb 2025 11:52
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84932
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84932