Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review
Background There is increasing empirical evidence for the positive mental health effects of compassion-based interventions. Although numerous smartphone apps offering compassion-based interventions (‘compassion apps’) are now available for the general public, the quality of these apps has not yet be...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BJPsych Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472423005379/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827877503485607936 |
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| author | Eva de Krijger Ernst T. Bohlmeijer Elbert Geuze Saskia M. Kelders |
| author_facet | Eva de Krijger Ernst T. Bohlmeijer Elbert Geuze Saskia M. Kelders |
| author_sort | Eva de Krijger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
There is increasing empirical evidence for the positive mental health effects of compassion-based interventions. Although numerous smartphone apps offering compassion-based interventions (‘compassion apps’) are now available for the general public, the quality of these apps has not yet been reviewed. A qualitative review of existing compassion apps serves as a crucial first step toward testing the efficacy of these apps, by identifying good-quality compassion apps that might be worth the investment of a scientific trial.
Aims
The current study focuses on reviewing the quality of existing compassion apps.
Method
Existing compassion apps were identified through searches in the Google Play Store and App Store. The 24 included apps were reviewed on their quality by using the Mobile App Rating Scale, and on their consistency with current evidence by comparing them to existing and studied compassion-based interventions.
Results
Of the 24 included apps, eight were identified that met the criteria of being consistent with existing and studied compassion-based interventions, and acceptable to good overall quality. The other 16 apps failed to meet one or both of these criteria.
Conclusions
Good-quality compassion apps are available, but many of the available apps fail to meet certain quality criteria. In particular, many apps failed to offer sufficient relevant and correct information, or failed to offer this information in an entertaining and interesting way. It is recommended that future compassion apps are based on a clear definition of compassion, offer evidence- and theory-based exercises and implement tools for increasing engagement.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:37:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21984ca88e2f4082895875da7857723f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-4724 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:37:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BJPsych Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-21984ca88e2f4082895875da7857723f2023-08-04T07:01:46ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Open2056-47242023-09-01910.1192/bjo.2023.537Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative reviewEva de Krijger0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4959-5338Ernst T. Bohlmeijer1Elbert Geuze2Saskia M. Kelders3Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, The Netherlands; and Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, The NetherlandsFaculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, The NetherlandsBrain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, The Netherlands; and Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, The NetherlandsFaculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, The NetherlandsBackground There is increasing empirical evidence for the positive mental health effects of compassion-based interventions. Although numerous smartphone apps offering compassion-based interventions (‘compassion apps’) are now available for the general public, the quality of these apps has not yet been reviewed. A qualitative review of existing compassion apps serves as a crucial first step toward testing the efficacy of these apps, by identifying good-quality compassion apps that might be worth the investment of a scientific trial. Aims The current study focuses on reviewing the quality of existing compassion apps. Method Existing compassion apps were identified through searches in the Google Play Store and App Store. The 24 included apps were reviewed on their quality by using the Mobile App Rating Scale, and on their consistency with current evidence by comparing them to existing and studied compassion-based interventions. Results Of the 24 included apps, eight were identified that met the criteria of being consistent with existing and studied compassion-based interventions, and acceptable to good overall quality. The other 16 apps failed to meet one or both of these criteria. Conclusions Good-quality compassion apps are available, but many of the available apps fail to meet certain quality criteria. In particular, many apps failed to offer sufficient relevant and correct information, or failed to offer this information in an entertaining and interesting way. It is recommended that future compassion apps are based on a clear definition of compassion, offer evidence- and theory-based exercises and implement tools for increasing engagement. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472423005379/type/journal_articleCompassionmobile applicationsmental healtheHealthdigital health |
| spellingShingle | Eva de Krijger Ernst T. Bohlmeijer Elbert Geuze Saskia M. Kelders Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review BJPsych Open Compassion mobile applications mental health eHealth digital health |
| title | Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review |
| title_full | Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review |
| title_fullStr | Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review |
| title_short | Compassion apps for better mental health: qualitative review |
| title_sort | compassion apps for better mental health qualitative review |
| topic | Compassion mobile applications mental health eHealth digital health |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472423005379/type/journal_article |
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