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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A prevalência de perturbações mentais em todo o mundo tem vindo a aumentar
consideravelmente, principalmente dado o contexto de pandemia de Covid-19, com
repercussões tanto no domínio da saúde, como a nível social, económico ou pessoal. De
forma a fazer face às necessidades, o uso das novas tecnologias tem ganho particular
destaque no combate ao isolamento social, ao stress e à ansiedade provocados pelo
contexto atual, com um aumento significativo de downloads de aplicações para
smartphone de apoio à saúde mental recorrendo a inteligência artificial ou a técnicas de
mindfulness. O presente estudo pretende compreender qual o impacto e a efetividade da
utilização de uma aplicação para smartphone, baseada na prática do mindfulness, no
apoio à saúde mental na redução de sintomatologia associada à ansiedade, à depressão e
ao stress, e por outro, compreender de que forma os participantes experienciam e
caracterizam a aplicação. Deste modo, foram recolhidos dados online entre fevereiro e
março de 2021, recorrendo a uma amostra de conveniência (N=34) que preencheu a
escala EADS-21 em dois momentos: antes da utilização da aplicação e após a sua
utilização por um período 15 dias. Em seguida, realizaram-se entrevistas aos
participantes, por via telefónica, de modo a compreender aspetos como a adesão e a
utilização da aplicação. Os resultados demonstraram um decréscimo significativo da
presença de sintomas de ansiedade, stress e depressão após a utilização da aplicação.
Segundo a análise temática, relativamente ao domínio da adesão, os participantes
revelaram na globalidade uma boa adesão, alguns dos aspetos principais referidos pelos
participantes estão relacionados com a quantidade de recursos disponíveis na aplicação,
a sua vertente de auxílio na gestão das emoções e a fácil usabilidade. Quanto ao
domínio da utilidade, os aspetos referidos prendem-se com ainda a intenção em
continuar a utilizar a aplicação mesmo após o término do estudo. Por fim, alguns
participantes referem ter ganho maior consciência das suas emoções e sentirem um
aumento significativo no seu bem-estar. Alguns participantes revelam não ter ganhos
mais consistentes ou duradouros devido ao tempo insuficiente de utilização. O presente
estudo contribuiu, assim, para o aumento da literatura relativamente à adoção de novas
tecnologias para a prática do mindfulness, de modo a promover um acesso mais amplo a
cuidados de saúde. São ainda mencionadas algumas das limitações da realização da
presente investigação bem como orientações para estudos futuros.
The prevalence of mental disorders worldwide has been increasing considerably, mainly given the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with repercussions not only in the field of health, but also on a social, economic or personal level. In order to meet the needs, the use of new technologies has gained prominence in combating social isolation, stress and anxiety caused by the current context, with a significant increase in downloads of smartphone applications to support mental health using artificial intelligence or mindfulness techniques. This study aims to understand the impact and effectiveness of using a smartphone app, based on the practice of mindfulness, in supporting mental health in the reduction of symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and stress, and on the other hand, understanding how participants experience and characterize app. Thus, data were collected online between February and March 2021, using a convenience sample (N=34) who completed the EADS-21 scale in two moments: before using the application and after using it for a period of 15 days. Then, interviews were conducted with the participants, by telephone, in order to understand aspects such as adherence and use of the application. The results showed a significant decrease in the presence of symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression after using the application. According to the thematic analysis, regarding the domain of adherence, the participants showed overall good adherence, some of the main aspects mentioned by the participants are related to the number of resources available in the application, its help in managing emotions and easy usability. As for the domain of utility, the aspects referred to are still related to the intention to continue using the application even after the end of the study. Finally, some participants reported having gained greater awareness of their emotions and felt a significant increase in their well-being. Some participants reveal not having more consistent or lasting gains due to insufficient time of use. The present study thus contributed to the increase in the literature regarding the adoption of new technologies for the practice of mindfulness, in order to promote broader access to health care. Some of the limitations of the present investigation are also mentioned, as well as guidelines for future studies.
The prevalence of mental disorders worldwide has been increasing considerably, mainly given the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with repercussions not only in the field of health, but also on a social, economic or personal level. In order to meet the needs, the use of new technologies has gained prominence in combating social isolation, stress and anxiety caused by the current context, with a significant increase in downloads of smartphone applications to support mental health using artificial intelligence or mindfulness techniques. This study aims to understand the impact and effectiveness of using a smartphone app, based on the practice of mindfulness, in supporting mental health in the reduction of symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and stress, and on the other hand, understanding how participants experience and characterize app. Thus, data were collected online between February and March 2021, using a convenience sample (N=34) who completed the EADS-21 scale in two moments: before using the application and after using it for a period of 15 days. Then, interviews were conducted with the participants, by telephone, in order to understand aspects such as adherence and use of the application. The results showed a significant decrease in the presence of symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression after using the application. According to the thematic analysis, regarding the domain of adherence, the participants showed overall good adherence, some of the main aspects mentioned by the participants are related to the number of resources available in the application, its help in managing emotions and easy usability. As for the domain of utility, the aspects referred to are still related to the intention to continue using the application even after the end of the study. Finally, some participants reported having gained greater awareness of their emotions and felt a significant increase in their well-being. Some participants reveal not having more consistent or lasting gains due to insufficient time of use. The present study thus contributed to the increase in the literature regarding the adoption of new technologies for the practice of mindfulness, in order to promote broader access to health care. Some of the limitations of the present investigation are also mentioned, as well as guidelines for future studies.
Description
Dissertação de mestrado, Psicologia (Área de Especialização em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Psicoterapia Cognitivo-Comportamental e Integrativa), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2021
Keywords
Ansiedade Depressão Saúde mental Prática clínica Promoção da saúde Dissertações de mestrado - 2021