Persuasive System Design Features for Mobile Mental Health Applications

Mobile mental health applications show promise and may be suitable for low-resource contexts, however, they remain underutilized. Designing and developing mental health applications that consider users' preferences and experts' recommendations and integrate with persuasive design principles may increase uptake. However, research in the field is scarce in low-income contexts including Ethiopia. Our research involved five main steps. First, we performed a literature review to identify existing evidence and recommendations. We adapted 15 app features from the existing literature. Second, we conducted two rounds of a modifiedDelphi study with 21 experts in the first and 16 in the second rounds to reach a consensus on the 15 adapted key app features. Third, we surveyed 419 individuals in Ethiopia with mental disorders to understand their needs and preferences for the adapted app features. Fourth, we integrated persuasive system design principles into the adapted app features. Fifth, we collaborated with experts to code the application content and finalize the prototype. The next step will be the development of the app in the Ethiopian official language, and usability testing of the application.