A gamfied “goal-setting” app for adolescents in mental healthcare

INTERVENTION: In this study, two ‘goal‐setting’ apps and a control‐condition with only standard CBT‐treatment without an app are compared. In all three conditions, adolescents and therapists will set goals together which the adolescent will try to achieve in his/her own time. The only difference between the three conditions, is the usage of a ‘goal‐setting’ app, where within the ‘goal‐setting’ app condition one app has and one app has no game‐elements. The application with game‐elements consists of the game‐elements “betting on expectations” and “progression feedback”. The “betting on expectations” is programmed in such a way that when a goal is set, points and a time need to be set as well that represent the likelihood that a goal will be achieved within the given amount of time. The game‐element “progression feedback” is linked to “betting on expectations”, by giving meaning to the points. Adolescents ascent a level if a certain amount of points is achieved. This is also made visual by using a mountain‐metaphor: adolescents begin at the bottom of the mountain and achieving goals will make them “climb” the mountain. Eventually they will reach the summit. CONDITION: Psychiatric disorders, Addiction ; ; PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary study outcome will be the treatment retention. This will be assessed via the amount of followed treatment sessions (face‐to‐face) during the experiment. The therapists will fill in forms to register this. SECONDARY OUTCOME: The secondary study outcomes in all three conditions consists of the amount of set and achieved goals, and motivation for treatment. In the conditions with the ‘goal‐setting’ app, the amount of set and achieved goals will be assessed via registration within the application. This information will be saved on a data‐server of ServiceHeroes (the company that programs the application). In the treatment as usual condition, the therapist will register the amount of set and achieved goals on paper. In the ‘goal‐setting’ app conditions, the usability of and experiences with the app will be measured via questionnaires. In all three conditions, the motivation for treatment will also be measured. ; ; ; ; In all three conditions we will also study, in an explorative way, if the personality traits and demographic variables moderate the effects of the goal‐setting applications. INCLUSION CRITERIA: ‐ Receive individual CBT for substance addiction or psychiatric disorder either at Brijder youth Addiction Care or Emergis Children‐ and youth psychiatric care. ‐ Age 13 – 24