Objective:

To evaluate the effects of the Alba app on bereaved adolescents’ mental health over time, focusing on prolonged grief symptoms and user feedback.

Approach:

• Study Design: A 2-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an active control group receiving psychoeducation via a website.
• Sample Size: Target sample size of 124 participants to detect a moderate effect on prolonged grief symptoms.
• Participants: Eligibility criteria required participants to be parentally bereaved adolescents.

Key Findings:

• The Alba app was co-developed with bereaved adolescents and showed high acceptability and satisfaction, with 85% of participants reporting they found the app helpful.
• Participants reported the app helped in understanding grief, managing emotions, and enhancing self-efficacy, with 78% indicating improved emotional regulation.
• Narrative interviews indicated that coping strategies and psychoeducation provided by the app contributed to meaningful changes in grief management, with 70% of participants noting a positive shift in their coping mechanisms.

Interpretation:

The study aims to assess both short-term and long-term effects of the Alba app on various mental health outcomes in bereaved adolescents.

Limitations:

• The pilot study indicated a higher dropout rate than the anticipated 20%, which may affect the generalizability of results.
• The reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias, as participants may overestimate their engagement with the app.

Conclusion:

The study evaluates a mobile health intervention designed to support grieving adolescents, with preliminary findings suggesting potential benefits in grief management.