Digital mental health interventions for hard-to-reach populations

Digital interventions for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety have gained significant attention in recent years. These digital interventions promise to improve access to mental health care and a growing body of research supports their effectiveness in treating common mental health conditions. However, the effectiveness of digital interventions among hard-to-reach populations remains under debate. These populations often delay seeking help, which can exacerbate risky behaviors and lead to poorer health outcomes. This dissertation aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital interventions for a number of hard-to-reach populations, focusing on young adult drinkers, adult substance users, and individuals with personality disorders. This dissertation consists of six studies that examine the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions for a number of hard-to-reach populations. Each study uses its own methodological approach, which broadens the range of conclusions that can be drawn. The first chapter provides an introduction that outlines the importance of digital interventions as a tool to overcome traditional treatment barriers, potentially making psychotherapeutic interventions more accessible and acceptable to these populations. This chapter also describes the key objectives of the dissertation. Four of the six studies employ meta-analytic methods, which allow for the aggregation and analysis of existing research. These methods are particularly useful for synthesizing data from multiple sources and formulating recommendations that form the basis of evidence-based guidelines for health care interventions. Chapter 6 outlines the protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating a mobile intervention targeting low-risk drinking habits among young adults, while Chapter 7 presents the results of the intervention's effectiveness. The concluding chapter provides a holistic discussion that synthesizes the findings, identifies the strengths and limitations of the research, and suggests future research directions.