Table 2.
Mental Health-Specific Characteristics of App, N = 208, n (%)
| Mental health diagnosis or symptom mentioneda | |
| Depression | 61 (29) |
| Anxiety | 50 (24) |
| General mental health | 44 (21) |
| Stress | 34 (16) |
| Posttraumatic stress disorder | 28 (13) |
| Bipolar | 23 (11) |
| Bullying | 24 (11) |
| Sleep disorder | 20 (10) |
| Schizophrenia | 19 (9) |
| Panic disorder | 13 (6) |
| Obsessive compulsive disorder | 11 (5) |
| No specific symptom or diagnosis mentioned | 11 (5) |
| General trauma | 9 (4) |
| Child trauma | 8 (4) |
| ADHD | 8 (4) |
| Source of information supporting app use or mental health diagnosis | |
| Not stated | 123 (59) |
| Research evidence | 48 (23) |
| Professional experience | 23 (11) |
| Personal experiences or stories | 18 (9) |
| National guidelines | 8 (4) |
| DSM criteria | 7 (3) |
| Approaches to improving mental health used by the appb | |
| Relaxation | 43 (21) |
| Stress management | 36 (17) |
| Symptom tracking | 1 (15) |
| Calming audio | 28 (13) |
| Interpersonal support | 25 (12) |
| Diary or journaling | 22 (10) |
| Connect with mental health resource | 19 (9) |
| Support group | 18 (9) |
| Hypnosis | 15 (7) |
| Meditation | 15 (7) |
| Other therapyc | 14 (7) |
| Mood tracking with provider | 11 (5) |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy | 10 (5) |
| Crisis management | 10 (5) |
| Medication management | 10 (5) |
| Validated diagnostic screens | 10 (5) |
| Presence of a legal disclaimer | 26 (12) |
| Mention of confidentiality | |
| No mention of privacy or security | 185 (89) |
| Assures privacy or security | 19 (9) |
All categories are not mutually exclusive except for mention of confidentiality.
a
Categories of impulsivity, memory, personality disorder, postpartum depression, dementia, amnesia, self-injury, autism, somatoform disorder, eating disorder, learning disorder, substance abuse, and trauma in schools were each 1% or less.
b
Categories of prediction tool, points or games, brainwave frequencies, mindfulness, conflict resolution, religious support, and heart rate tracking were each 4% or less.
c
Other type of therapy not mentioned in another category.