Description:

"Usability Themes in a Smartphone Intervention for Young Sexual Minority Men with Anxiety and Depression"

Abstract: Despite their exposure to unique stressors and elevated risk for anxiety and depressive symptoms, to our knowledge there are no empirically validated behavioral interventions for anxiety or depression among young sexual minority men. We used principles of transdiagnostic cognitive-behaviorla therapy and minority stress theory to develop TODAY!, a culturally informed intervention comprised of a Smartphone application and brief telephone coaching protocol. This intervention was subjected to usability testing with sexual minority males aged 17-20 who reported experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms. Usability testing identified six broad usability themes, including Functionality, Personalization, Presentation, Aesthetics, LGBT/Youth Content, and Barriers to Use. Individual feedback on each theme guided further revision and development of the intervention. This presentation will describe the TODAY! intervention, feedback from the youth, and changes made to the intervention in response to feedback.

Bio: Dr. Michelle Nicole Burns is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs) and Departments of Preventive Medicine and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Burns received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Technology-Assisted Mental Health Intervention at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the use of technology to increase access to mental health care among underserved communities. Her most recent work has centered around the development of a Smartphone application and brief coaching program to assist young sexual minority men in managing symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.