Exploring the feasibility of a mental health application (JoyPopTM) for Indigenous youth

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of the current study was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a resilience-focused mobile application, JoyPop™, for use with Indigenous youth.MethodsA Haudenosaunee community-based research advisory committee co-developed the research project, in accordance with OCAP™ principles. Adopting a mixed-method approach, five youths from an immersion school used the JoyPop™ app for four consecutive weeks, as well as completed pre-test questions and weekly usage surveys. Most participants also completed post-test questions and a semi-structured interview. Based on a semi-structured interview protocol, youth responded to questions, and the most common themes were categorized to capture the experience of using the app.ResultsAll youth reported a positive impression, used the app daily, found it easy to navigate, and indicated that they would recommend it to a friend. All features were uniformly positively endorsed. There were features that youth used most often (Deep Breathing, “SquareMoves” game, and Art features) and moderately (Rate My Mood, Journaling, and SleepEase). The social connection feature, Circle of Trust, was least utilized, with youth reporting a preference for in-person problem-solving. The drop-down menu of crisis helplines was not used. Youth recommended more gaming options. In terms of cultural resonance, appreciation for the app's use of water sounds in the SleepEase feature was expressed, as was cultural consistency with the “Good Mind” perspective. Recommendations included additional nature sounds, Indigenous design elements, the inclusion of Native language words, and traditional stories.DiscussionThe JoyPop™ app was positively received by Six Nations youth, and ways to ensure its cultural appropriateness were identified. Moving forward, it is recommended that Indigenous designers create a new version with community design co-creation. Additional research with various groups of Indigenous youth is warranted as a pan-Indigenous approach is not recommended.

Digital Methods for the Spiritual and Mental Health of Generation Z: Scoping Review

“…Ultimately, the scoping review included 5 articles. Of these 5 articles, 1 [ 23 ] was included in the review from the updated search conducted in September 2023 and 1 [ 24 ] was included from the updated search in November 2023. Characteristics and results of the studies are summarized in Table 1 .…”

“…Of the 5 articles, 2 were published in 2023, 1 was published in 2022, and 2 were published in 2021. There were 2 mixed-methods studies (1 in South Africa [ 25 ] and 1 in Canada [ 24 ]), 2 cross-sectional studies (1 in China [ 26 ] and 1 in the United States [ 23 ]), and 1 randomized controlled trial in the United States [ 29 ]. Sample sizes varied across the 5 studies, ranging from 5 to 1017.…”

“…Au-Yeung et al [ 24 ] conducted a Haudenosaunee (Canada’s largest First Nations reserve, Six Nations of the Grand River) community-based study in which 5 Haudenosaunee youth (aged 11-16 years) tested the JoyPop mobile app (available in English and French) that is designed to promote resilience among youth. The app offers breathing exercises, mood tracking, journaling, personalizable social support, a 24-hour helpline, and games.…”

“…A comprehensive literature search across 8 databases identified only 5 relevant studies, emphasizing the significant lack of published research on digital methods to address the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z. Among the 5 studies, only 2 discussed digital interventions, and of these studies, 1 examined a text messaging–based intervention to improve spiritual and mental health and reported improvements in spiritual and mental health over time [ 27 ], and 1 examined the feasibility of a mental health app [ 24 ]. The sparse available literature limits conclusions on the current state of digital methods to address spiritual and mental health, and warrants future research to address these gaps.…”

“…Nearly every facet of the lives of Gen Z involves technology, for example, using computers for school or work, using mobile apps to order food, and using social media and texting to communicate with friends. Despite the widespread use of technology among Gen Z and the increasing number of research studies employing digital methods to test and deliver mental health programs and interventions [ 31 ], only 1 of the studies included in this review examined the effects of a digital intervention on spiritual and mental health [ 27 ] and 1 assessed the feasibility of a mental health mobile app [ 24 ]. The lack of digital methods or interventions to address the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z warrants the development of accessible ways for Gen Z to practice spiritual and mental self-care.…”