What Do Adolescents Think About an App Designed to Reduce Cognitive Risk Factors for Eating Disorders? A Mixed Methods Study

Bibliographic Data

ID9614140
AuthorsLaura Carratalá-Ricart (0000-0002-9982-1057, Universitat de València), Sandra Arnáez (0000-0003-4840-3231, Universitat de València), Odalis Isabel Merchán (0009-0000-0009-448X, Universitat de València), Marta Corberán (0009-0003-0089-2715, Universitat de València), Yuliya Saman (0009-0005-4334-2910, Universitat de València), Belén Pascual-Vera (0000-0003-3075-7912, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia), Guy Doron (0000-0003-4879-0147, Baruch College), Gemma García-Soriano (0000-0002-6801-1801, Universitat de València), María Roncero (0000-0002-4213-3106, Universitat de València, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume57
Issue1
Pages147-161
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBehavior Therapy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0005-7894 • E-ISSN: 1878-1888
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.beth.2025.07.005
PMID41620239
OpenAlexW4412978981
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited67

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eHealth interventions as a means of reducing risk factors related to eating disorders (EDs). However, these interventions are often faced with high dropout rates and low adherence. The objective of this study was to analyze the usability and acceptability of GGED-AD, a mobile app designed to reduce cognitive risk factors associated with EDs in adolescents. The study involved 42 adolescents (61.9% female) with a mean age of 13.98 years, and employed a convergent mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that GGED-AD has satisfactory usability and acceptability-it was considered easy to use, attractive, encouraging of positive behaviors, and was perceived as useful by the participants. However, certain difficulties were observed, such as in understanding some specific content. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights for improving the design of GGED-AD and of similar eHealth interventions, with the objective of enhancing their potential for adoption in "real world" settings

Cognition · Eating disorders · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology

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