Investigating the Role of Situational Disruptors in Engagement with Digital Mental Health Tools

Ananya Bhattacharjee; Joseph Jay Williams; Miranda Beltzer; Jonah Meyerhoff; Harsh Kumar; Haochen Song; David C. Mohr; Alex Mariakakis; Rachel Kornfield

arXiv · 2502.09776

Investigating the Role of Situational Disruptors in Engagement with Digital Mental Health Tools

Ananya Bhattacharjee·Joseph Jay Williams·Miranda Beltzer·Jonah Meyerhoff·Harsh Kumar·Haochen Song·David C. Mohr·Alex Mariakakis·Rachel Kornfield

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Abstract

Challenges in engagement with digital mental health (DMH) tools are commonly addressed through technical enhancements and algorithmic interventions. This paper shifts the focus towards the role of users' broader social context as a significant factor in engagement. Through an eight-week text messaging program aimed at enhancing psychological wellbeing, we recruited 20 participants to help us identify situational engagement disruptors (SEDs), including personal responsibilities, professional obligations, and unexpected health issues. In follow-up design workshops with 25 participants, we explored potential solutions that address such SEDs: prioritizing self-care through structured goal-setting, alternative framings for disengagement, and utilization of external resources. Our findings challenge conventional perspectives on engagement and offer actionable design implications for future DMH tools.

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Ananya Bhattacharjee, Joseph Jay Williams, Miranda Beltzer, Jonah Meyerhoff, Harsh Kumar, Haochen Song, David C. Mohr, Alex Mariakakis, Rachel Kornfield. 2025-02-13. Investigating the Role of Situational Disruptors in Engagement with Digital Mental Health Tools. https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.09776

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