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Psychological Self-Monitoring Apps Reduce Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Trauma Exposure in Health Care Workers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Psychological self-monitoring apps can significantly contribute to reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma exposure in health care workers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study published in the JMIR mHealth and uHealth journal explored the experience of health care workers in Quebec, Canada, who used a basic psychological self-monitoring app. The research found that the app increased emotional self-awareness and improved adherence to psychological support among health care workers. The study's findings suggest that psychological self-monitoring apps can be a valuable tool for health care workers to prevent psychological distress during health crises.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 424 health care workers in Quebec, Canada, who used a psychological self-monitoring app over a 12-week period.
  • The mean adherence to the app was 74.5%, and the mean satisfaction was 80%.
  • Most participants perceived that the app contributed moderately or a lot to enhancing their self-awareness.
  • The regression model identified a significant positive correlation between adherence to the app and self-awareness.
  • The app was perceived as an interesting tool for improving self-awareness and preventing psychological distress in health care workers, particularly in health crises.
  • The study aimed to explore the factors influencing adherence to the app, including satisfaction, self-awareness, and distress experience.

Statistics:

  • 74.5% (SD 29.4%) mean adherence to the psychological self-monitoring app over a 12-week period.
  • 80% (SD 20%) mean satisfaction with the app.
  • 39.5% (165/418) of participants perceived that the app contributed moderately to enhancing their self-awareness.
  • 33.5% (140/418) of participants perceived that the app contributed a lot to enhancing their self-awareness.
  • F=6.59; P=0.001, significant regression model indicating a positive correlation between adherence to the app and self-awareness.

Sources:

  • Health Care Workers' Experience With a Psychological Self-Monitoring App During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2025;13.
  • NewsRx. Data on COVID-19 Described by Researchers at Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Sante Mentale de Montreal (Health Care Workers' Experience With a Psychological Self-Monitoring App During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Study). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 31, 2025; p 27.

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