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“Virtual Reality” interventions in human services may include 360° video, augmented reality, mixed reality, and fully immersive 3-dimensional virtual reality simulations. A variety of appli...

The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) identified 12 Grand Challenges of Social Work to unify the profession with focused research, practice and policy applications for the...

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising technological intervention for anxiety disorders. However, there are no existing standards and best practices to evaluate the effectiveness of enviro...

Objective The purpose of this research was to conduct the first stages of a user-centered design of a smartphone app designed to improve health behaviors among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Texas. Methods Focus groups explored facilitators and barriers to health behaviors, current use of apps, and desired features in a WIC app. Results Facilitators to improve health behaviors included access to information, support from healthcare practitioners and family, and implementation of strategies. Current app use themes included texting/chatting, accessing information, tracking/locating, planning/scheduling, sharing, and gaming. Frequencies of key themes within and across groups were used to inform app prototype design. Mock-ups of 15 prototype features were developed based on themes of facilitators and currently used app features. Participants agreed that having all features combined into a single WIC app would be convenient and provide trustworthy information from WIC. Conclusions The enthusiasm of focus group participants for a comprehensive WIC app suggests that this initiative is timely, and that an app has potential to improve health behaviors. Future research should continue the user-centered design process through further evaluation of prototype features, incorporating cultural preferences at every step.

Objective In this study, we sought to determine technology acceptance of a mobile application (app) to facilitate healthy behaviors as perceived by English- and Spanish-speaking participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods Our sample was 48 mothers (78% Hispanic-American) at WIC clinics in south-central Texas. Through 6 focus groups, we explored user intention of a wireframe app prototype. Discussion probes were based on the construct of behavioral intention. We used qualitative analysis software to organize theme identification and description. Results Participants were more willing to use an app if it was easy to navigate and included features that addressed specific challenges for WIC health behaviors. Emergent themes thought to facilitate app use included preferences seen between languages and habit. English-speakers were more likely to use an app if it was entertaining and customizable. Spanish-speakers put a high priority on app functionality. WIC participants placed high priority on the app's ability to help manage family health behaviors and expressed trust for information provided by WIC. Conclusion Apps are a feasible approach to modernize WIC breastfeeding and nutrition education. English- and Spanish-speakers have both similar and different priorities with app use and should be considered in future app development.