This observational study will employ a multi-modal observation methodology, integrating data from wearable devices and smartphones to establish comprehensive digital biomarkers for identifying symptoms of mental health conditions in university students. The study aims to identify the digital behavioural markers associated with mental health conditions, develop predictive algorithms for mental health states from digital markers, and identify university students at risk for mental health conditions.
In this study, participants will be monitored over a six-month period to determine the association between digital behavioural markers and mental health symptoms among university students. Participants will be passively monitored to collect digital phenotyping data (e.g., physical activity, sleep activity, heart rate, physiological patterns, sociability indices, finger taps, ambient light, phone states, etc.), using a wearable device and sensors from the smartphone. Participants will also complete self-report questionnaires at Months 0, 1, 3, and 6, to track changes in mental health symptoms and behavioural data. The collected data will be analysed to examine the longitudinal changes in depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among university students and explore the feasibility of data collection procedures.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
500
Participants will not receive any study intervention. During the six month study period, participants will complete four active assessments at Months 0, 1, 3 and 6, and data from the study-provided wearable (Fitbit Charge 6) and sensors from the participant's smartphone (through the Brightline app) will be collected passively throughout.
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore, Singapore
RECRUITINGPatient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
A nine-item scale assessing depression severity. A higher total score indicates increased depression severity.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
A seven-item scale assessing anxiety severity. A higher total score indicates increased anxiety severity.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4)
A four-item scale assessing stress severity. A higher total score indicates increased stress severity.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Short Form (I-PANAS-SF)
A ten-item scale divided into two subscales, assessing subjective experiences of positive and negative affect. A higher total score on each subscale indicates increased positive or negative affect.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
University of California Los Angeles, 3-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3)
A three-item scale assessing levels of loneliness. A higher total score indicates increased loneliness.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
University Stress Scale (USS)
A 21-item scale assessing the degree to which university life events are perceived as stressful. A higher score indicates increased perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), Interim (Month 1), Mid-point (Month 3), End-point (Month 6)
Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale (MHSAS)
A nine-item scale assessing attitudes towards seeking mental health help. A higher score indicates more favorable attitudes towards seeking mental health assistance.
Time frame: Baseline (Month 0), End-point (Month 6)
Perceptions of study compliance
Participants will be evaluated on five items assessing the acceptability of the study procedure, specifically related to wearing the wearable device. Additionally, they will be provided a free-text response to details any difficulties or challenges encountered during the study period.
Time frame: End-point (Month 6)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.