ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6162-8071

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Raymond DiGiuseppe

Second Advisor

Mark Terjesen

Third Advisor

Imad Zaheer

Abstract

Low-Intensity CBT interventions have become more popular over the years due to the expanding use of the internet and technology. A particular subset of Low-Intensity CBT, phone-based apps, have become more available on app-stores. The research literature on phone-based apps has not kept up in pace in comparison to the development of new applications. This leaves the quality and efficacy of such apps to be left untested. Furthermore, most applications are dominated by a Beck’s Cognitive Therapy (CT) approach, with more Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) apps on the horizon. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) has been largely neglected within the app-based domain. Our study takes on the development of an REBT based phone app and takes a look at mental health outcomes from using other established apps in the CT and REBT space. An experimental phone app, REBT Guide to Emotions, was developed for this study. WoeBot was used as a CT app control group and PsyPills was used as an REBT app control group. Participants were asked to utilize one of three phone apps and report on their pre and post mental health measures utilizing the OQ-45.2. Participants in all groups did not see any significant changes in their total OQ scores, while WoeBot did demonstrate an improvement in short-term negative mental health symptoms. Other research conducted on the apps points to there being a connection between reminders, app engagement, and user outcomes.

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