To help scientists figure out if "internet self-help" actually works, young people across Europe are being recruited. Researchers have developed an app that they expect can prevent anxiety, depression, and boost wellbeing.
Scientists are driving a pan-European initiative to hire young people aged between 16 and 22 to use the software at the University of Exeter.
It puts together the current findings on self-monitoring, cognitive behavioral therapy, and self-help strategies so that young people can think about their own feelings, improve resilience and wellbeing.
Data from the software can also enable researchers to understand more about young people's attitudes, feelings, and mental well-being.
Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic effect on young people, knowing what affects young people's emotions and well-being is especially important.
The project runs until May 2021 and free access to the platform will be provided to thousands of young people from 8 countries.
Working from home could contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
How It Works
The MyMoodCoach app would ask users to capture their mood and emotions every day. Then they will be offered a description of their emotional habits by the software.
The University of Exeter's Professor Ed Watkins said: "This is the first large-scale trial of its type."
Watkins said they want to equip young people with mobile devices to consider and control their own feelings, enhance their wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of mental health disorders.
Crucially, the feedback and the services available can be customized to what is most beneficial to them, Watkins added.
Watkins also noted the need to identify scalable strategies to support young people.
"We already know that Covid-19 and its threat to everyday life have a significant effect on young people's wellbeing, with new research showing the highest rise in self-reported depression in this age category."
"We are also interested to see how, in these tough days, a remote self-help strategy will help young people remain psychologically healthy."
How Researchers Came Up With The App
Research has found that teaching young adults to control their feelings properly will decrease rates of depression and anxiety in high-risk populations by, for example, stressing less or developing more helpful mindsets.
Prof Watkins said the number of related applications available were not rigorously reviewed and there was no data to justify their use.
"In a smartphone app which is both evidence-based and built to look amazing and cater to younger audiences, the project is the first to incorporate all these methods," he added.
"This can be a landmark point in studies into mental wellbeing, helping young people in their marriages, jobs and social lives to live happier lives."
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