Currently submitted to: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Mar 25, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 26, 2024 - May 21, 2024
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Loneliness and Depression among College Students: A Mixed-Methods Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the prevalence of loneliness and depression among college students. Digital interventions, such as Woebot and Happify, have shown promise in alleviating these symptoms.
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of Woebot and Happify in reducing loneliness and depression among college students after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
A mixed-methods approach was employed over four months. Sixty-three participants aged 18-27 from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, were initially recruited, with inclusion criteria of elevated loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale score ≥ 34-40) and depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 6). Attrition resulted in a final sample of 27 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to Woebot (n=22), Happify (n=21), or a control group using Bondee, a metaverse social network messenger app (n=10). Quantitative measures (UCLA Loneliness Scale, PHQ-9) and qualitative assessments (user feedback, focused interviews) were used.
Results:
Modest decreases in loneliness and depression post-intervention were observed, although not statistically significant (likely due to small sample size). Welch's ANOVA found no significant differences between intervention groups (UCLA Loneliness: P=.5917; PHQ-9: P=.5058). Qualitative data indicated user satisfaction, with suggestions for improved app effectiveness and personalization.
Conclusions:
Despite limitations, the study suggests the potential of well-designed digital interventions in alleviating college students' loneliness and depression. Findings underscore the importance of accessible digital tools, mental health literacy education, and comprehensive support systems. Further research with larger samples is needed.
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