The development and pilot evaluation of a mental health mobile app in the Philippines
| Date | 16 November 2022 |
| Pages | 370-383 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2022-0024 |
| Published date | 16 November 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Ma. Regina Hechanova-Alampay,Patrick Louis Angeles,Antover Tuliao,Edgar Hilario,Amadeus Fernando Pagente,Carol Villegas Narra |
The development and pilot evaluation
of a mental health mobile app
in the Philippines
Ma. Regina Hechanova-Alampay, Patrick Louis Angeles, Antover Tuliao, Edgar Hilario,
Amadeus Fernando Pagente and Carol Villegas Narra
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this study was to test a mobile application for mental health created for
Filipinos. Specifically, it tested the Lusog-Isip mobile app vis-
a-vis a mental health workbook as they
affectpsychosocial well-being and coping strategiesof users.
Design/methodology/approach –This study used a randomizedcontrol trial design. Participants were
assigned to two conditions: a treatment group using the mobile app and a control group that used an
existingmental health workbook. Pre- andpost-tests were conducted beforeand two weeks after.
Findings –Results revealed improved psychological well-being and use of cognitive reappraisal for
both mobileapp and workbook users. Users of the mobile app reported higher scorescompared to those
who usedthe workbook for emotional release.
Originality/value –This study adds to the dearth of knowledge on the use of a mobile application for
mental health in low-resourcecountries. It highlights the potential of using digitaltechnologies to provide
accessto mental health resources in underservedpopulations.
Keywords Philippines, Mobile application, Mental health, Digital technology, COVID-19
Paper type Research paper
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of individuals
across the globe. A study reported anxiety disorder cases increased by around
28%, whereas depressive disorder cases increased by 26% (Santomauro et al.,
2021). In addition, a study of 9,565 people from 78 countries reported that 10% of the
sample had low and 50% had moderate levels of mental health. The study also reported
that people without social support and whose finances worsened during the pandemic
reported poorer mental health (Gloster et al.,2020). The pandemic and control measures
like quarantine protocols and restricted mobility of the people have amplified the social
determinants of mental health, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Rising
unemployment and food insecurity, for example, exacerbate preexisting conditions like
income inequality and malnutrition(Bernardini et al., 2021).
Another impact of the pandemic was that mental health resources and services that could
have mitigated these conditions became more difficult todeliver through traditional face-to-
face means. As a result, there has been a rise in telemedicine and digital mental health
technologies. Mobile mental health applications have gained traction and have shown to
improve coping self-efficacy and well-being, and decrease mental health symptoms
(Bakker et al.,2018;Hwang et al.,2021). However, the World Health Organization (2004)
suggests that even as the concept of mental health may be universal, its expression differs
across cultures and contexts. As such, it is important for interventions to be culturally
(Informationabout the
authorscan be found at the
end of this article.)
The authors wish to thank Ms
Frances Prescilla Cuevas,
Team Lead of the Department
of Health’s Mental Health
Division for her leadership and
guidance in making this project
a reality.
Funding: This study was made
possible by the generous
support of the American people
through the United States
Agency for International
Development (USAID)
(Agreement no.
72049219CA00004) under the
USAID RenewHealth Project:
Expanding Access to
Community Based Drug
Rehabilitation in the Philippines
implemented by University
Research Co., LLC.
Disclaimer: The funders played
no role in research design, data
collection, data analysis,
manuscript writeup or decision
to publish. The findings and
conclusions expressed in this
article are those of the authors
alone and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the USAID
or the United States
Government.
Conflicts of Interest: The
authors declare no conflict of
interest.
PAGE 370 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jVOL. 28 NO. 5 2024, pp. 370-383, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-04-2022-0024
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