Digital interventions with ethnic minority young people, at-risk of self-harm

About the study

We have developed a digital intervention, "Purrble". Purrble is a robot companion, in the shape of a fluffy animal. This has been found to help university students with their anxiety and emotional regulation strategies. Given that young people, who are also a minority, have high rates of mental health difficulties and self-harm, our goal for this study is to understand if these or similar benefits could be applicable for these young people.

We are looking for young people who are part of an ethnic minority group, to try Purrble and share what they think of it:
-- If and how they used the Purrble.
-- Whether they found Purrble helpful.
-- Positives or negatives of Purrble use.

The long-term aim of this project is to develop bespoke, specialised interventions for young people, who are part of a minority group, to reduce their risk of self-harm.

What will it involve?

This study is built of 3 phases:

Phase 1: You will complete a short baseline survey online.

Phase 2: You will receive a short questionnaire (2-3 minutes) by text once a day for 4 weeks. Each day you will be asked about your mood, if you've had any self-harmful thoughts, and emotional regulation. You will also receive one weekly questionnaire (1-2 minutes).
During week 1 you will not yet have your Purrble.
From week 2-3 you will have your Purrble, and be asked whether you engaged with the Purrble during that day.

Phase 3: You will be invited to a short remote interview to ask about your thoughts of the study and Purrble. (optional)