UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS ON ANXIETY AND

DEPRESSION AMONG STUDENTS

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the subject
Practical Research I

By
JANET V. BORRES
MAY 2024
 CHAPTER 1

The Problem

Introduction

Anxiety and depression in children and young people are common (Merikangas et al.

2009). Significant mental health issues that impact many students globally are anxiety and

depression. The most common mental health conditions in children and adolescents,

according to the World Health Organization (WHO), are anxiety and depression, which affect

10–20% of them. Students' general wellbeing, social interactions, and academic achievement

may all suffer as a result of these circumstances.

Technology is an integral part of our daily lives. We use it at work, at home and when

we work from home. Gone are the days of shutting down a desktop computer and simply

stepping away. However, balancing the need for connection and the negative effects of

excessive screen time can be challenging. The use of technology has been linked to a range of

mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. The constant barrage

of notifications and the pressure to stay connected can lead us to feel overwhelmed and

burned out. However, technology can also have positive effects on mental health. It can

provide a sense of community and social support, particularly for those who may not have

access to it otherwise. Teletherapy has been an important resource for individuals seeking

mental health support during the pandemic, and has allowed for greater access to mental

health services in rural areas.

With so many chances for mental health intervention, technology has become an

essential element of students' life in recent years. Technological interventions, including

wearables, online platforms, smartphone apps, and virtual reality programs, have drawn

interest as possible means of assisting students in reducing symptoms of anxiety and

depression. The goal of these interventions is to offer a wide range of pupils individualized,

affordable, and easily available mental health support. This has led to interest in the use of

information and communications technology (e-mental health) to increase capacity to support

and improve the mental health of children and young people Riper et al. 2010; Boydell et al.

2014; Ebert et al. 2015; Hollis et al. 2017).

Statements of the Problem

This study tries to answer the following questions:

1. What are the common technology interventions that aids anxiety and depression

among students?

2. How does technology interventions aids anxiety and depression?

3. What are the outcomes of technology interventions helps overcome anxiety and

depression on students?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study's objective is to investigate how technology interventions affect students'

anxiety and depression. It seeks to offer a thorough synopsis of the body of knowledge and

research in this field. The study will look at different technological treatments that have been

used to treat students' feelings of anxiety and depression, including wearable technology,

internet platforms, smartphone applications, and virtual reality programs.

Significance of the Study

 The following are the significance of the study:

For the students. Using this knowledge, interventions that support technology use in a

healthier way can be developed, which will ultimately benefit the students' mental health.

Provided with this knowledge, students can enhance their self-regulation abilities and make

well-informed decisions regarding their technology usage, resulting in an overall

improvement in their well-being, in addition to increased awareness and self-regulation.

Furthermore, the research can help identify and provide guidance for the creation of

technology-based support networks for students who are experiencing anxiety and

depression. To increase the resources available to kids in need, this might involve digital

mental health tools, online resources, or mobile applications. All of these are intended to

offer easily accessible and efficient support.

For the Environment. Reduced environmental impact, technology-based therapies can

provide treatment and support options other than standard methods, such as internet-based

therapy or digitized self-help resources.

For the Future Researchers. Basis for further research, Future research on the subject can

build upon the findings of this study. Building on these results, researchers can analyze

certain facets of technological interventions, examine long-term consequences, or investigate

the mechanisms that underlie the association between technology use, anxiety, and

depression. This can help us grasp the topic better and guide our future interventions.

For the Parents. Parents' knowledge and comprehension of the possible effects of

technology on their children's mental health may grow as a result of this study. It may explain

how technology use, anxiety, and depression are related, benefiting parents in identifying

their children's warning signs and symptoms of these mental health conditions.
For the Teachers. Research findings can be used by educators to create instructional

practices that support students' mental health and encourage responsible use of technology.

Instructors can create assignments and courses that promote responsible internet use, take

into account how technology may affect students' stress levels, and introduce digital health

programs into the classroom. Students may benefit from a more encouraging and well-

rounded learning environment as a result.

Definition of Terms

Understanding- Within the framework of this study, "understanding" refers to learning

information, understanding, and comprehension on the various elements associated with

technology-based therapies for students' depression and anxiety. Understanding the basics of

processes, results, and impacts of applying technology-based methods in this situation are all

part of it.

Technology Interventions- The term "technology interventions" describes the thoughtful

and purposeful use of technology-based instruments, platforms, programs, or applications to

address or lessen students' symptoms of depression and anxiety. These interventions could

include any technology-based strategies that are specifically aimed at treating anxiety and

depression, such as virtual reality experiences, online therapy programs, smartphone

applications, and digital mental health resources.

Anxiety- Anxiety is a psychological disorder that manifests as discomfort, concern, and fear.

Within the framework of this study, anxiety relates particularly to the anxiety that students

encounter, including symptoms like excessive concern, restlessness, difficulty focusing, and

physical manifestations like increased heart rate or asthma.

Depression- A wide range of mental and psychological signs, along with a continuous sense

of depression and loss of interest or pleasure, are characteristic of depression, a mood illness.

In the context of this study, depression particularly refers to the depressed symptoms that

students encounter, which can include a low mood that doesn't go away, low energy, changes

in eating or sleep patterns, trouble concentrating, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness.

Students- Individuals who are currently enrolled in educational institutions, such as schools,

colleges, or universities, and are pursuing academic studies are referred to as "students" in

this context. Students from different age groups, educational backgrounds, and skill levels

could be among them.

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

What is Technology Intervention

Technology-based interventions can offer many benefits, in particular the ability to standardize
treatment across participants and sites. This can make it easier to replicate the interventions with
fidelity across contexts, though the context itself can still change the effectiveness of the intervention
(Pane et al. 2014; Roschelle et al. 2016). If interventions are shown to be effective, being technology-
based also offers unique opportunities for rapid scaling and replication.

Modern Technological Intervention Advancements for the Physically Challenged and

Disabled Population

The advent of communication technologies and advanced intervention tools has

revolutionized lives by removing barriers and expanding the scope of access even to the
disabled population. These technological advancements can help in social inclusion and
accessibility, and new technological interventions that are robust, multidisciplinary and
flexible can resolve the problems and improve the quality of life of the disabled, physically
challenged and elderly populations.

However, despite this, there are not many books currently available covering these fields. As
such, this text is a welcome addition, and incorporates knowledge and expertise from global
professionals who have been working for years to help establish such technology. The book
provides insights for budding researchers and students to explore the field further, and
highlights the key challenges that need to be addressed before it is possible to fully reap the
benefits from these technological interventions. It will also be useful for people working in
the fields of rehabilitation and special education, as well as engineers, clinicians and industry
professionals working with the disabled population.
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