AIM To analyze the viability of Ecological Momentary Assessment(EMA) for measuring the mental states associated with psychopathological problems in adolescents.METHODS In a sample of 110 adolescents,a sociodemographic...AIM To analyze the viability of Ecological Momentary Assessment(EMA) for measuring the mental states associated with psychopathological problems in adolescents.METHODS In a sample of 110 adolescents,a sociodemographic data survey and an EMA Smartphone application over a oneweek period(five times each day),was developed to explore symptom profiles,everyday problems,coping strategies,and the contexts in which the events take place.RESULTS The positive response was 68.6%.Over 2250 prompts about mental states were recorded.In 53% of situations the smartphone was answered at home,25.5% of casesthey were with their parents or with peers(20.3%).Associations were found with attention,affective and anxiety problems(P < 0.001) in the participants who took longer to respond to the EMA app.Anxious and depressive states were highly interrelated(rho = 0.51,P < 0.001),as well as oppositional defiant problems and conduct problems(rho = 0.56,P < 0.001).Only in 6.2% of the situations the subjects perceived they had problems,mainly associated with inter-relational aspects with family,peers,boyfriends or girlfriends(31.2%).We also found moderate-high reliability on scales of satisfaction level on the context,on positive emotionality,and on the discomfort index associated with mental health problems.CONCLUSION EMA methodology using smartphones is a useful tool for understanding adolescents' daily dynamics.It achieved moderate-high reliability and accurately identified psychopathological manifestations experienced by community adolescents in their natural context.展开更多
基金Supported by Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness,No.PSI 2013-46392-Pthe Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants from the Government of Catalonia,No.2014SGR1139
文摘AIM To analyze the viability of Ecological Momentary Assessment(EMA) for measuring the mental states associated with psychopathological problems in adolescents.METHODS In a sample of 110 adolescents,a sociodemographic data survey and an EMA Smartphone application over a oneweek period(five times each day),was developed to explore symptom profiles,everyday problems,coping strategies,and the contexts in which the events take place.RESULTS The positive response was 68.6%.Over 2250 prompts about mental states were recorded.In 53% of situations the smartphone was answered at home,25.5% of casesthey were with their parents or with peers(20.3%).Associations were found with attention,affective and anxiety problems(P < 0.001) in the participants who took longer to respond to the EMA app.Anxious and depressive states were highly interrelated(rho = 0.51,P < 0.001),as well as oppositional defiant problems and conduct problems(rho = 0.56,P < 0.001).Only in 6.2% of the situations the subjects perceived they had problems,mainly associated with inter-relational aspects with family,peers,boyfriends or girlfriends(31.2%).We also found moderate-high reliability on scales of satisfaction level on the context,on positive emotionality,and on the discomfort index associated with mental health problems.CONCLUSION EMA methodology using smartphones is a useful tool for understanding adolescents' daily dynamics.It achieved moderate-high reliability and accurately identified psychopathological manifestations experienced by community adolescents in their natural context.
