What is the purpose of this study?

We (the research team based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) are evaluating a state-specific deployment of the Bolster mobile application. We want to know if a digital mental health intervention (Bolster) can be disseminated through statewide early psychosis networks, whether that app can be used to effectively raise awareness of specialty early psychosis treatment settings around the state, and to evaluate whether the app is effective when deployed in this manner.

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What will my participation look like?

This study is 100% remote, which means you can participate from anywhere in North Carolina. Here's a quick rundown:

1. You'll take our eligibility survey. This should take 10 minutes or so.

2. If you're eligible, you'll be asked to complete a set of survey assessments (about 30-45 minutes) about caregiving, your stress levels, and illness knowledge.

3. You will then receive a link to download the Bolster mobile app and a member of the study team will help you install the app on your device.

4. You'll have access to Bolster for a trial period of 12 weeks. Every two weeks, you'll receive an invitation to complete a brief survey about your experiences with the app (1-2 minutes).

5. At the three-month mark, you'll complete the second survey assessment and complete a few additional surveys to provide your feedback on the Bolster app and the mHSS. After completing the surveys, you will receive your second $40 payment. You will uninstall the Bolster app from your phone, and your trial participation will end. 

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Who will see my data?

The research team will have access to the amount of time you spend in the Bolster app each day, and numeric scores you enter for your loved one's symptom severity (you will never report your loved one's name or information). No one will have access to anything you write in the app; anything you write in the app will not be stored. You will have the option to export your responses to a location of your choice. If you decline to export responses, they will be deleted. 

 

All identifiers (like your name or email address) will be kept on secure databases and not shared outside the research team. We will collect your IP address once and your device's location once, when you take the eligibility survey. Once you are enrolled in our study, you will be assigned a number, which will be associated with your responses to surveys and time spent in the Bolster application. We will not link any identifying information to study data after the eligibility survey. If we publish our findings from these sessions, there will be no identifiable information published. 

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Why do you pay people? 

We send gift cards to express our thanks for participating -- we know you're busy, and we value your time.