scholarly journals Developing the WorkingWell mobile app to promote job tenure for individuals with serious mental illnesses.

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Nicholson ◽  
Elizabeth A. Carpenter-Song ◽  
Lynn H. MacPherson ◽  
Justin S. Tauscher ◽  
T. Chris Burns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile App ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Job Tenure ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

scholarly journals Preliminary outcomes of the Motivation and Skills Support (MASS) mobile app: An Ecological Momentary Intervention for social functioning in schizophrenia (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fulford ◽  
David E. Gard ◽  
Kim T. Mueser ◽  
Jasmine Mote ◽  
Kathryn Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Functioning ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Treatment Termination ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
Ecological Momentary

BACKGROUND People with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses often lack access to evidence-based interventions, particularly interventions that target meaningful recovery outcomes, such as social functioning and quality of life. Mobile technologies, including smartphone applications, have the potential to provide scalable supports that place elements of evidence-based interventions at the palm of patients’ hands. OBJECTIVE We developed a smartphone app to provide targeted social goal support (e.g., making new friends, improving existing relationships) for people with schizophrenia, called Motivation and Skills Support (MASS), in a standalone open trial. METHODS In this study we present preliminary outcomes in 31 participants who used the MASS app for a period of eight weeks, including social functioning pre- to post-intervention, and momentary reports of treatment targets (social motivation, appraisals) during the intervention. RESULTS Findings suggest the intervention improved self-reported social functioning from baseline to treatment termination, particularly in women participants. Gains were not maintained at three-month follow-up. Furthermore, increased social functioning was predicted by momentary reports of social appraisals, including perceived social competence and the extent to which social interactions were worth the effort. CONCLUSIONS We discuss implications of these findings and future directions for addressing social functioning in schizophrenia using mobile technology. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03404219

scholarly journals The WorkingWell Mobile Phone App for Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses: Proof-of-Concept, Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

10.2196/11383 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e11383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Nicholson ◽  
Spenser M Wright ◽  
Alyssa M Carlisle ◽  
Mary Ann Sweeney ◽  
Gregory J McHugo
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Exit Interview ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

Background The disparities in employment for individuals with serious mental illnesses have been well documented, as have the benefits of work. Mobile technology can provide accessible in-the-moment support for these individuals. The WorkingWell mobile app was developed to meet the need for accessible follow-along supports for individuals with serious mental illnesses in the workplace. Objective We explore the usability, usage, usefulness, and overall feasibility of the WorkingWell mobile app with individuals with serious mental illnesses who are actively employed and receiving community-based services. Methods In this proof-of-concept, mixed-methods, 2-month feasibility study (N=40), employed individuals with serious mental illnesses were recruited in mental health agencies. Participants completed surveys regarding background characteristics and cellphone use at enrollment and responded to interview items regarding app usability, usage, and usefulness in technical assistance calls at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of participation and in the exit interview at 8 weeks. Data on the frequency of app usage were downloaded on a daily basis. A version of the System Usability Scale (SUS) was administered in the exit interview. Overall feasibility was determined by the percent of users completing the study, responses to an interview item regarding continued use, and findings on usability, usage, and usefulness. General impressions were obtained from users regarding user support materials, technical assistance, and study procedures. Results Most participants were male (60%, 24/40), aged 55 or younger (70%, 28/40), white (80%, 32/40), had less than a 4-year college education (78%, 31/40), were employed part-time (98%, 39/40), had been working more than 6 months (60%, 24/40), and indicated a diagnosis of bipolar, schizoaffective, or depressive disorder (84%, 16/25). The majority of participants owned cellphones (95%, 38/40) and used them multiple times per day (83%, 33/40). Their average rating on SUS usability items was 3.93 (SD 0.77, range 1.57-5.00), reflecting positive responses. In general, participants indicated WorkingWell was “very easy,” “straightforward,” “simple,” and “user friendly.” Usability challenges were related to personal issues (eg, memory) or to difficulties with the phone or app. Data on app usage varied considerably. The most frequent navigations were to the home screen, followed by Rate My Day and My Progress, and then by Manage the Moment and Remind Me. The app was described as useful by most participants; 86% (30/35) agreed the app would help them manage better on the job. Of the 40 original participants, 35 (87%) completed the study. Conclusions The WorkingWell app is a feasible approach to providing accessible, as-needed employment support for individuals with serious mental illnesses. The app would benefit from modifications to address recommendations from feasibility testing. Controlled research with larger samples, more diverse in individual characteristics and workplace settings, is essential to demonstrating the effectiveness of the app.

scholarly journals The WorkingWell Mobile Phone App for Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses: Proof-of-Concept, Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Nicholson ◽  
Spenser M Wright ◽  
Alyssa M Carlisle ◽  
Mary Ann Sweeney ◽  
Gregory J McHugo
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Exit Interview ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

BACKGROUND The disparities in employment for individuals with serious mental illnesses have been well documented, as have the benefits of work. Mobile technology can provide accessible in-the-moment support for these individuals. The WorkingWell mobile app was developed to meet the need for accessible follow-along supports for individuals with serious mental illnesses in the workplace. OBJECTIVE We explore the usability, usage, usefulness, and overall feasibility of the WorkingWell mobile app with individuals with serious mental illnesses who are actively employed and receiving community-based services. METHODS In this proof-of-concept, mixed-methods, 2-month feasibility study (N=40), employed individuals with serious mental illnesses were recruited in mental health agencies. Participants completed surveys regarding background characteristics and cellphone use at enrollment and responded to interview items regarding app usability, usage, and usefulness in technical assistance calls at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of participation and in the exit interview at 8 weeks. Data on the frequency of app usage were downloaded on a daily basis. A version of the System Usability Scale (SUS) was administered in the exit interview. Overall feasibility was determined by the percent of users completing the study, responses to an interview item regarding continued use, and findings on usability, usage, and usefulness. General impressions were obtained from users regarding user support materials, technical assistance, and study procedures. RESULTS Most participants were male (60%, 24/40), aged 55 or younger (70%, 28/40), white (80%, 32/40), had less than a 4-year college education (78%, 31/40), were employed part-time (98%, 39/40), had been working more than 6 months (60%, 24/40), and indicated a diagnosis of bipolar, schizoaffective, or depressive disorder (84%, 16/25). The majority of participants owned cellphones (95%, 38/40) and used them multiple times per day (83%, 33/40). Their average rating on SUS usability items was 3.93 (SD 0.77, range 1.57-5.00), reflecting positive responses. In general, participants indicated WorkingWell was “very easy,” “straightforward,” “simple,” and “user friendly.” Usability challenges were related to personal issues (eg, memory) or to difficulties with the phone or app. Data on app usage varied considerably. The most frequent navigations were to the home screen, followed by Rate My Day and My Progress, and then by Manage the Moment and Remind Me. The app was described as useful by most participants; 86% (30/35) agreed the app would help them manage better on the job. Of the 40 original participants, 35 (87%) completed the study. CONCLUSIONS The WorkingWell app is a feasible approach to providing accessible, as-needed employment support for individuals with serious mental illnesses. The app would benefit from modifications to address recommendations from feasibility testing. Controlled research with larger samples, more diverse in individual characteristics and workplace settings, is essential to demonstrating the effectiveness of the app.

Wellness for life: A pilot of an interprofessional intervention to address metabolic syndrome in adults with serious mental illnesses.

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Gill ◽  
Michelle Zechner ◽  
Ellen Zambo Anderson ◽  
Margaret Swarbrick ◽  
Ann Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses
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