Developing An Engaging Computerized Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adolescent Depression

The implementation of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) among adult patients has been proven effective but the effectiveness of using cCBT to treat depression among adolescents is still not clear to date. The problem lies in the failure to engage adolescents with the computerized therapy. Engagement with computerized therapy is deemed as crucial as the outcome of the therapy relies on the engagement between patients and the cCBT. In order to ensure the engagement, the cCBT has to be usable and fulfil the adolescents’ needs and requirements. Hence, this study designs and develops a cCBT for adolescent depression based on an engagement model proposed. The results showed that the engagement between adolescents and the cCBT is satisfactory despites having some limitations. This shows that adolescent’s engagement with cCBT can be maintained effectively if the cCBT is designed and developed to meet their needs and requirements.