Usability, quality, and factors influencing acceptance of a resilience app (JoyPop) among university students - Izzy Malik (2024)

This research evaluated the usability, quality, and factors influencing the acceptance of the resilience-building mobile health application, JoyPop, among a sample of Canadian post-secondary students. Utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and standardized measures like the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS), the study aimed to identify the specific drivers behind student engagement and long-term usage intentions. Results indicated that students rated the app's overall usability as "very good" and its objective quality as "excellent," with high subjective ratings and a significant percentage of participants willing to recommend the app to others. Statistical analyses revealed that performance expectancy, ease of use, and facilitating conditions were the strongest predictors of whether students intended to incorporate the app into their daily mental health management. By providing a prospective evaluation of a specific digital tool, this research offers critical insights into how mental health apps can be optimally designed and implemented to meet the unique needs of university students and reduce barriers to care. Note: Winner of the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence.