Co-designing a just-in-time adaptive behavioral activation intervention to reduce depressive symptoms
Theme: Technological interventions in increasing well-being
Type of research (qualitative empirical, quantitative empirical, mixed-method): Mixed-method
Description:
Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) hold significant promise in enhancing mental health by offering accessible, personalized support in the right moment through ecological momentary interventions. Despite their potential, the application of JITAIs in mental health is still in early stages and knowledge about their effectiveness and optimal design remains scarce. Behavioral activation is an effective intervention to improve depressive symptoms. However, little is known about how behavioral activation should be provided as JITAI in a way that it fits the needs and preferences of users. In this thesis you will co-design a behavioral activation JITAI through a co-design approach. In co-designing approaches, potential users are involved early in the process of developing an new intervention tool. Within a focus group with other students you will explore the preferences and needs of potential users of behavioral activation as JITAI. This will lead to valuable input about how to design such an intervention so that it aligns with the preferences of users. Results from the focus group will be reported by conducting thematic analyses on qualitative data. Afterwards, you will conduct a small-scale pilot test of the newly developed JITAI and assess usability and feasibility of behavioral activation delivered as JITAI.
Example research questions include: What are the needs and preferences of users receiving behavioral activation as JITAI? Is the newly developed JITAI feasible, acceptable and usable?
This assignment will be conducted in cooperation with Thubble, the online counselling service of Dimence group. Dimence is a mental healthcare institute in the Netherlands and has a keen interesting on integrating JITAIs into their treatment. With this exercise you will directly contribute to this avenue by gathering valuable information about designing JITAIs.