YOUCA App for Parents of Children With Mental Health Issues: A Pilot Study of Usability and Efficacy

Parents play an important role in supporting their children's mental health but often feel unsure how to respond to emotional or mental health difficulties. To address this need, the PsyGes project developed the Youngsters Upbringing Mental Health Information and Counselling App (YOUCA), a smartphone app that provides parents with information, practical guidance, daily tips, communication strategies, a mental health glossary, and a directory of support services. This study aims to evaluate the usability and potential effectiveness of YOUCA in improving parenting skills and parental self-efficacy (confidence in supporting a child). In this mixed-methods randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study, approximately 25 parents of children with mental health difficulties will participate. Participants will use the app over a four-week period and complete questionnaires before and after use. App usability and satisfaction will also be assessed. Interviews with parents and a focus group with psychosocial experts will provide additional feedback to support further app development and future larger-scale evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult (psychological) parents (Age \> 18 years) of children/adolescents aged 10-17 * AND previously/currently concerned about their child's mental health \& therefore seeking information/support * AND willingness to comply with all study related procedures and provide informed consent * AND owning a smartphone and willing to use it for installing and testing the YOUCA App within the intervention phase * AND situated in the City of Vienna or surrounding areas Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of consent capacity in parents or acute crisis of the participants. No external expert assessment is conducted. An acute crisis is defined as screened by PHQ-4 score rated from 9 to 12 (Kroenke et al. 2009). * Insufficient knowledge of German for questionnaire completion, app use and participation in the interview Inclusion Criteria for Experts in Focus Group * Active work in the field of psychosocial and mental health in the last three years * AND working with children / adolescents between age 10 - 17 in the field of psychosocial and mental health * AND willing to test the app on a private smartphone * AND at least one year of work experience in respective fields * AND situated in the City of Vienna or surrounding areas