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Artificial Intelligence as an Engagement Tool in Digital Mental Health Interventions : A Focus Group Study

Opdahl, L.D. (2025) Artificial Intelligence as an Engagement Tool in Digital Mental Health Interventions : A Focus Group Study.

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Abstract:Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) are a possible solution to the growing burdens placed on the mental health care system. Engagement strategies can be applied to DMHIs to mitigate attrition. A tool which can possibly supplement these strategies is Artificial Intelligence (AI). This qualitative study sought to explore the attitudes of young adults towards DMHIs, primarily but not limited to those which incorporate AI features in their design in order to promote engagement. A focus group study was conducted with 14 participants between the ages of 20 and 25. The main findings of this study revolved around ethics, data handling, human interaction, and personalisation. Participants were generally sceptical of DMHIs, in large part due to the personal data required of them. Furthermore, human interaction and connection emerged as key priorities for the participants, and they were therefore less inclined to consider using a standalone DMHI or purely large language model-based intervention. The primary benefit of using AI as an engagement tool, identified by the participants, was the option of extensive personalisation. Implications of this study include the importance of human support, the possibility of implementing AI to enhance engagement strategies, and the value of transparency with users when utilising AI.
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/106909
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