Systematic review and meta-analysis
Linardon et al. (2024)
Linardon, J., et al. (2024). Current evidence on the efficacy of mental health smartphone apps: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review evaluates randomized controlled trials of smartphone-based mental health applications and concludes that digital interventions can produce meaningful, though generally modest, improvements in mental health outcomes. The authors also highlight substantial variation in app quality, study design, and user engagement.
Relevance to Better Days: Provides contemporary evidence supporting the use of smartphone-based psychological interventions while reinforcing the importance of evaluating each application on its own merits.
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Weisel et al. (2019)
Weisel, K. K., et al. (2019). Standalone smartphone apps for mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review examines self-guided smartphone applications used without routine therapist support. Findings suggest that standalone digital interventions can benefit some users, although effectiveness varies considerably across interventions and populations.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports the educational self-guided model of Better Days while emphasizing realistic expectations regarding effectiveness.
Meta-analysis
Firth et al. (2017)
Firth, J., et al. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
This study found that smartphone-based psychological interventions produced small-to-moderate reductions in depressive symptoms across randomized controlled trials while noting important differences between interventions and study quality.
Relevance to Better Days: Provides evidence that digital psychological interventions can be effective while underscoring the need for direct evaluation of individual applications.
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Torous et al. (2020)
Torous, J., et al. (2020). Dropout rates in clinical trials of smartphone apps for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review identifies user engagement and retention as major challenges for mental health applications and examines factors associated with continued participation.
Relevance to Better Days: Highlights the importance of designing features that encourage meaningful, sustained engagement.
Systematic review
Milne-Ives et al. (2023)
Milne-Ives, M., et al. (2023). Potential associations between behavior change techniques and engagement with mobile health apps: A systematic review.
This review evaluates how behavior-change techniques relate to user engagement in mobile health applications and concludes that no single technique consistently guarantees engagement.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports evidence-informed evaluation of reminders, goal tracking, notifications, and other engagement features.
Methodological framework
Nahum-Shani et al. (2017)
Nahum-Shani, I., et al. (2017). Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) in mobile health.
This foundational paper introduces the Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) framework for delivering personalized support when individuals are most likely to benefit.
Relevance to Better Days: Provides a scientific foundation for adaptive recommendations and context-sensitive guidance.
Meta-analysis
Weiss, Westerhof, & Bohlmeijer (2016)
Weiss, L. A., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). Can we increase psychological well-being? The effects of interventions on psychological well-being: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
This review examines interventions designed to improve psychological well-being and reports overall positive effects across multiple approaches.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports the app's emphasis on fostering positive psychological functioning rather than focusing solely on reducing distress.
Meta-analysis
Kirby, Tellegen, & Steindl (2017)
Kirby, J. N., Tellegen, C. L., & Steindl, S. R. (2017). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions.
This review synthesizes evidence showing that compassion-based interventions can improve several aspects of psychological functioning.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports designing experiences that encourage self-compassion, resilience, and recovery following setbacks.
Integrative review
Gollwitzer (1999)
Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans.
This influential paper summarizes research demonstrating that “if–then” implementation plans help translate intentions into action by linking specific situations with planned responses.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports helping users create concrete, actionable plans rather than relying solely on motivation.
Prospective longitudinal study
Lally, van Jaarsveld, Potts, & Wardle (2010)
Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world.
This study demonstrates that habit formation develops gradually through repeated behavior in consistent contexts and varies considerably across individuals and behaviors.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports encouraging consistency and persistence while avoiding unrealistic expectations about how quickly habits develop.
Foundational theoretical framework
Deci & Ryan (2000)
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior.
This landmark paper presents Self-Determination Theory, proposing that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are fundamental psychological needs that influence motivation and well-being.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports designing experiences that preserve user choice, encourage competence, and foster meaningful motivation.
Integrative review
Gross (2015)
Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects.
This review summarizes contemporary research on emotion regulation and emphasizes that effective strategies depend on context rather than universal rules.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports teaching flexible approaches to understanding and responding to emotions.
Framework-development paper
Michie, van Stralen, & West (2011)
Michie, S., van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions.
This paper introduces the Behaviour Change Wheel and COM-B model, providing a systematic framework for understanding and influencing behavior.
Relevance to Better Days: Supports designing educational features that account for users' capability, opportunity, and motivation when pursuing behavior change.