Integrating user experience and interface design for mental health mobile applications: A prototype development and evaluation approach

Abstract

The increasing demand for digital mental health interventions illustrates the importance of User Experience Design (UXD) and User Interface Design (UID) in facilitating app utilization and functionality. This study introduces and substantiates an integrated UXD-UID framework by developing and accessing JAIFULL, a mobile application prototype designed for mental health assistance. The initial analysis, employing a comprehensive, user-centered design methodology, revealed that 20 university students and mental health professionals desired simplicity, emotional comfort, personalization, and trustworthiness. We accomplished this through interviews and questionnaires. This information facilitated the development of personas, the mapping of user journeys, and the formulation of primary design decisions for the prototype. The iterative development approach effectively integrated UXD and UID principles, resulting in an interface that is aesthetically soothing, user-friendly, and intuitive. Emotional design and aesthetic coherence were prioritized to address the requirements of both students and professionals. Usability testing indicated that the prototype functioned effectively, achieving a task completion rate of 95% and an average usability rating of 4.6 out of 5. Alongside usability, comprehensive qualitative feedback drove home the importance of emotional design, as consumers linked the prototype's color choices, typography, and visual layout to a deep sense of safety and emotional comfort. Users perceived the app as a secure, welcoming, and beneficial environment, which motivated them to engage with it more extensively and for prolonged durations. This research illustrates the importance of holistic, user-focused design in digital mental health interventions. The findings provide a robust framework and practical guidance for designers, demonstrating that the intentional integration of User Experience Design (UXD) and User Interface Design (UID), with a focus on emotional states and trust indicators, significantly enhances the usability and emotional resonance of mental health applications.