University of Twente Student Theses

Login
As of Friday, 8 August 2025, the current Student Theses repository is no longer available for thesis uploads. A new Student Theses repository will be available starting Friday, 15 August 2025.

A Qualitative Interview Study: Adapting Social Media Engagement Strategies to Improve Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs)

Kraus, N. (2025) A Qualitative Interview Study: Adapting Social Media Engagement Strategies to Improve Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs).

[img] PDF
1MB
Abstract:Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) are a flexible solution for young adults' mental health needs, but high dropout rates and low long-term engagement hinder their effectiveness. Our study involving 13 participants aged 19-23 found that engagement with DMHIs is influenced by emotional, functional, and social factors. Key engagement strategies include personalized feedback, mood tracking, and community-based features, which support emotional insight, self-awareness, and routine-building. However, participants also expressed concerns about gamification mechanisms and unmoderated social features. Key engagement facilitators include visual feedback, customizable goal-setting activities, and alignment with users' daily routines. Barriers to sustained engagement included perceived pressure, emotional overload, and lack of control over AI-driven features. This study suggests a co-adaptive engagement model, where digital mental health tools adapt to users' needs and preferences over time, allowing them to personalize the intervention to their goals and emotional rhythms. This model prioritizes emotional safety, user autonomy, and meaningful interaction over strict adherence or standardized routines. Future research should explore real-world usage patterns and cross-cultural applicability of these strategies.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106850
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page