Users' experiences with technology-based mental health treatments (V4)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring users' experiences and the nature of the users' interactions with technology-based mental health treatments
IRAS ID
178577
Contact name
Laura Hillier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
Many people experiencing mental health problems may not receive any support or treatment. As a result, alternative methods of delivering treatments to those in need have been developed. For example, treatments for mental health problems have been developed which can be delivered via the internet, computer, or via smartphone. Some forms of these treatments are largely delivered as "self-help" style interventions. This means that a service user will mostly work through the treatment themselves, perhaps with a human therapist acting in a supporting role. Although research shows that these treatments can be effective in reducing symptoms, the reasons for this have not been well researched.
The proposed research aims to investigate users' interaction and engagement with technology-based treatments. Additionally, the potential role of the "therapeutic alliance" will be explored. The "therapeutic alliance" represents a collaborative relationship between therapist and client, which can influence the therapy's success. This research will investigate the validity of the concept of therapeutic alliance in treatments which may not actively involve a human therapist. It is hoped that this research will enable a greater understanding of how technology-based interventions work, and how features of TBIs can support users to engage with the technology. This research may help to improve the design of future technological treatments, and ultimately enhance their effectiveness.
This research will use qualitative methods to investigate users' interaction and engagement with technological treatments. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with service users will be conducted. Adults (16 and over) who have personal experience of using a technology-based mental health treatment in the past 6 months for a clinically significant mental health problem will be eligible to take part.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1619
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion