A sleep/wake cycle intervention for young males

// Development and evaluation of a mobile phone app intervention

Presented by Kathryn McCabe on behalf of the Young Men’s Intervention project team

THE PROBLEM Common mental health disorders affect as many as 26% of Australia’s youth.

Young men are less likely than young women to seek professional mental health support

Sleep disturbance is both a symptom of and potential risk factor for a range of mental illnesses [1]

Disruption of the sleep/wake cycle is shown to negatively affect mood [2]; cognitive functioning [3;4]; as well as health and wellbeing [4;6].

The primary aim of this project was to design a mobile phone app intervention improving wellbeing through the development of healthy sleep/wake practices in young males (aged 16-24 years).

[1]  Zee PC & Turek FW. Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1686–8; [2] Boivin DB, et al. Arch Gen. Psychiatry 1997;54(2):145-52. ; [3] Dijk DJ, et al. J Sleep Res 1992;1(2):112-7. ; [4] Fortier-Brochu E, et al. Sleep Med Rev 2012;16:83–94. ; [5] Sivertsen B, et al. J Psychosom Res 2009;67:109–16. ; [6] Hickie, I.B., et al., BMC Medicine, 2013. 11: p. 79.

THE APPROACH

• Cross-sector collaboration: Brain & Mind Research Institute; Inspire Foundation; Digital Agency and Young People

• Participatory Design Methodologies – iterative cycles of concept development and testing

• Evaluate engagement and effectiveness through feasibility and RCT studies

RESULTS: PART 1

Opportunities for passive data collection

Concept: Narrative Design vs Slick Design

Young People: Different ages use technology differently

Keep it specific

RESULTS: PART 2

• Workout Intervention findings

• Workshop and participatory design findings

Opportunities for Collaboration

Technical development of the app and RCT software

Innovative data collection Creative and design expertise

Lessons learned: Understand each others perspective Spend time clearly articulating objectives Ensure balanced input into decision

making process Do as much work “in house” as possible

Project Team and Contacts

Kathryn McCabe, Tracey Davenport, Kitty Rahilly, Derek Chambers, Helen Christensen , Jane Burns,

Ian Hickie

kathryn.mccabe@sydney.edu.au

Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney; Inspire Foundation Australia, Ireland Foundation; Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales; Young and Well Cooperatve Research

Centre