Rates and Predictors of Uptake of a Chatbot Aimed to Promote Mental Health Services Use for Eating Disorders Following Online Screening (Preprint)
Year: 2022
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND Most individuals with eating disorders (EDs) do not receive treatment. Leveraging digital tools such as chatbots may be a promising method to mobilize mental health care utilization following ED screening. OBJECTIVE This study examined rates and predictors of uptake of a chatbot aimed to promote mental health services use among adults who screened positive for clinical/subclinical EDs on an online ED screen. METHODS Following screening, eligible individuals (≥18 years, screened positive for a clinical/subclinical ED, not in treatment) were shown the study opportunity. Participants who enrolled were instructed to initiate an SMS conversation with the chatbot. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions explored differences in demographics, ED symptoms, suicidality, and probable ED diagnoses between those who enrolled and engaged with the chatbot versus those who did not. RESULTS Of 6,747 respondents shown the study opportunity, 205 (3.0%) enrolled, of whom 185 (90.2%) subsequently used the chatbot. Chatbot uptake was more common among individuals aged ≥25 versus young adults and less common among individuals engaging in regular dietary restriction. No other differences across demographics or ED presentations were observed. CONCLUSIONS Overall chatbot uptake was low, reflecting a need for additional strategies to promote help-seeking behaviors. However, chatbot uptake was high among those that enrolled and equal across most demographics or ED symptoms. Differences by age and dietary restriction in chatbot uptake indicate a need to better engage those who are younger or report restriction.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4310823870