Chatbot Intervention for Depression
(SMILEY Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if an automated chatbot called SMILEY can help marginalized youth experiencing depression and online victimization feel safer and less stressed online. Over four weeks, participants will use SMILEY to learn coping skills and safe social media practices. The trial specifically targets Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ youth who frequently face online harassment and have moderate to severe depression. Youth who often encounter negative online interactions and struggle with depression might be a good fit for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for online safety and mental health.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a chatbot for coping skills, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.
What prior data suggests that the SMILEY chatbot intervention is safe for marginalized youth?
Research has shown that chatbots like SMILEY are generally safe for users. These chatbots often assist teens facing online bullying or discrimination. Although specific safety data for SMILEY is not available, chatbots designed to help with depression typically aim to support users without causing harm. They work to lift mood and help change behaviors linked to depression.
SMILEY operates through social media and supports marginalized youth by teaching skills to handle online negativity and stress. Importantly, chatbots regularly check in with users to ensure they are not in severe distress. This ongoing monitoring helps keep interactions safe.
Overall, even without direct safety data, chatbots like SMILEY are designed to be low-risk and supportive, offering a safe space for teens to learn coping skills.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about SMILEY because it offers a unique approach to managing depression in youth, especially those who face online victimization. Unlike standard treatments like medication or traditional therapy, SMILEY uses a chatbot delivered through Facebook Messenger, making it accessible and engaging for tech-savvy young people. It focuses on improving social media self-efficacy and distress tolerance, addressing the digital challenges these youths face. This innovative delivery method and targeted focus on online interactions set it apart from other depression treatments.
What evidence suggests that SMILEY could be an effective intervention for depression and online victimization?
Research shows that chatbots can help reduce stress. A review of several studies found that these chatbots have a small but meaningful impact on lowering stress levels, indicating their potential to help. For instance, a study on a similar chatbot showed it effectively supported people at high risk for depression. In this trial, participants in one arm will receive the SMILEY intervention, which guides users in dealing with online stress, particularly benefiting young people from marginalized groups. SMILEY teaches coping skills and provides information to help users better manage their online experiences. This suggests that SMILEY could effectively improve safety and reduce stress from online bullying or harassment.12456
Who Is on the Research Team?
César G Escobar-Viera, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Pittsburgh
Candice Biernesser, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Pittsburgh
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for marginalized youth, including Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are dealing with depression and have been victimized online. Participants should be experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants engage with the SMILEY chatbot and receive psychoeducation over 4 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- SMILEY
Trial Overview
The trial tests a chatbot named SMILEY that delivers coping skills and psychoeducation to help participants manage the stress of online victimization. Over 4 weeks, they'll learn safe social media practices through interactive materials.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
SMILEY (Social Media Intervention for Online Victimized Youth): A self-paced HIPAA-compliant chatbot intervention administered through Facebook Messenger that delivers psychoeducational and coping skills content to improve social media self-efficacy and distress tolerance among Black, SGM and other minority youth with moderate to severe depression who experience online victimization.
Research clinician will deliver psychoeducation for youth and caregivers supported by web-based resources. Content will introduce basic concepts of social media self-efficacy (screen time guidance, technological coping skills, and encouragement of positive online interactions) and guidance on how to respond to and cope with online victimization.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
University of Oregon
Collaborator
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Collaborator
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
Chatbot Intervention for Depression (SMILEY Trial)
The primary inquiry of this study is whether SMILEY can enhance the safety and decrease stress levels in online environments for marginalized youth coping with ...
Smiley
SMILEY is a social media-based chat program for teens ages 13-18 who have had negative online experiences (e.g., bullying, harassment, discrimination, etc.) ...
Chatbot‐Delivered Interventions for Improving Mental ...
The meta‐analysis indicated that chatbot‐delivered interventions significantly reduced distress (Hedge's g = −0.28, 95% CI [−0.46, −0.10]), but ...
4.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/363718390_Evaluation_of_chatbot-delivered_interventions_for_self-management_of_depression_Content_analysis(PDF) Evaluation of chatbot-delivered interventions for self- ...
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy, feasibility, and technical outcomes of Amanda, a GPT-4-based chatbot, in delivering ...
Development and Evaluation of a Mental Health Chatbot ...
At the baseline of our study with 53 participants, 23 (43.4%, 23/53) were categorized as high-risk for depression. These findings underscore the ...
Persuasive chatbot-based interventions for depression
Since chatbots for depression aim at improving symptoms or encourage behavior change, it should be reported how the chatbot is measuring whether ...
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