Needs of parenting interventions based on mobile health technology in parents of depressed adolescents: A qualitative study.

Abstract

Objectives: Parenting interventions aim to enhance positive parenting behaviors through skills training and guidance for parents. International studies have shown that mobile health-based parenting effectively alleviate depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, such practices are still in their infancy in China. Cultural differences between China and other countries necessitate the development of parenting interventions tailored to the Chinese context. This study aims to explore the willingness and needs of parents of adolescents with depression for mobile health-based parenting interventions, providing a reference for designing such programs to prevent or mitigate depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Methods: Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents of adolescents with depression hospitalized at the Mental Health Research Institute at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between July and September 2023. Data were analyzed using Nvivo12.0 software and Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method.

Results: The interview findings were categorized into three themes: willingness to use mobile health-based parenting interventions, content needs, and functional needs. Some parents expressed strong willingness to use mobile health-based parenting interventions, while others underestimated their need for such programs due to various factors. Content needs included guidance on parent-child communication, family conflict resolution, stress management for children, professional knowledge about the illness, and parental emotional regulation. Functional needs involved personalized content delivery, enabling the transformation of knowledge into skills, and providing timely guidance and feedback.

Conclusions: Before implementing mobile health-based parenting interventions, it is crucial to understand parents' willingness and address their specific content and presentation needs. Interventions should deliver personalized and precise parenting knowledge while offering timely guidance and feedback to facilitate the transformation of knowledge into parenting skills.