The effectiveness of digital psychological interventions via mental health applications in reducing depressive symptoms among university students

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of digital psychological interventions delivered through mental health applications in reducing depression symptoms among university students in Iraq. The research employs a descriptive-analytical method with a quasi-experimental design. The research sample consisted of 320 male and female students from Iraqi public and private universities, selected using stratified random sampling. The sample was divided into two groups: experimental (160 students) who received digital psychological interventions through mental health applications for 8 weeks, and control (160 students) who received traditional care. The study used the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and a digital mental health applications usage scale. Results showed significant effectiveness of digital psychological interventions in reducing depression symptoms, with depression scores decreasing by 42% in the experimental group compared to 8% in the control group. 85% of participants also confirmed the ease of access to digital services and their effectiveness compared to traditional methods. The study recommends integrating digital mental health applications into university care systems, developing training programs for mental health specialists on using digital technologies, establishing specialized digital mental health centers in Iraqi universities, and developing local applications that consider the cultural privacy of Iraqi society.