PERCEIVED EFFICACY OF MOBILE APPS AS ENABLERS OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT: PRELIMINARY SURVEY RESULTS FROM CHINESE YOUNG ADULTS

Chinese mental health providers have begun to consider Internet-based technology, including social media and mobile applications (or “apps” in short), as an economical way to facilitate depression self-management and other mental health interventions. This research examines the perception of mobile apps as potential enablers of self-management and community-based interventions among Chinese young adults. The research recruited more than 300 public health students in Guangzhou, China for a survey research. These participants were asked to answer a number of questions to share their perception of mobile apps. As a new communication technology, mobile apps are able to facilitate self-management and other mental health interventions. However, some patients may be resistant to this new technology. As such, the use of familiar platforms—such as QQ—is useful for promoting mobile apps and social media to help mental health patients in China.