Literature-based requirements analysis review of persuasive systems design for mental health applications

Mental health problems are becoming more common while access to treatment is often not available to everyone who needs help. Recent advances in information technology, the wide availability of the internet, the emergence of smartphones and their common usage worldwide raise hope for more treatment options for mental health disorders. Many mobile phone apps that claim to assist in treating a variety of mental health disorders are already available, and the number of such apps continues to increase. The availability of such apps raises many questions about their effectiveness, suitable treatment methods, possibilities for use alongside traditional treatment methods, possible risks and other uncertainties. Beside mobile apps, internet-based apps are also being introduced with similar sets of challenges and ambiguities. One area of research that is gaining a lot of attention recently is Persuasive System Design and Behavior Change. Persuasive System Design is considered one solution that has the potential to help solve the challenges of lack of user motivation and adherence when utilizing mental health applications. The goal of this paper is to perform a literature review, in order to determine the most essential requirements for a persuasively designed mental health application. As part of this process, the challenges and requests of the end-user will be taken into account in order to make recommendations for the future design of such applications.