Parent and Adolescent Preferences for Online Youth Mental Health Support Programs: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

BACKGROUND

Digital mental health programs can expand access to psychological support for children and adolescents, especially where stigma, cost, and workforce shortages limit traditional care. Understanding which features young people and parents value most is essential for improving engagement and real-world uptake.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional discrete choice experiment to quantify preferences for online youth mental health program features among adolescents and parents. Data were collected through an online survey of BRAVE Program families with prior experience using the BRAVE self-help anxiety program. Participants completed ten choice tasks comparing two program options varying by content format, effectiveness or professional contact, personalization, cost, and session frequency or additional supports. Preferences were analyzed using mixed multinomial logit models.

RESULTS

Among 238 participants (80 parents; 158 adolescents), both groups preferred programs that were engaging, interactive, and personalized, and both were sensitive to program cost. Parents placed strong emphasis on effectiveness, with cost (36%) and effectiveness (27%) the most influential attributes. Adolescents valued direct contact with a professional and additional supports, but cost was the dominant attribute influencing their choices (47%). Scenario analyses showed that predicted uptake remained high for programs with preferred features, although uptake decreased when the program cost was A$300.

CONCLUSIONS

Within their respective choice sets, parents placed particular value on demonstrated program effectiveness, while adolescents placed particular value on access to professional support. Programs offering flexible, optional professional input, and low or no cost may maximize appeal and accessibility while informing future policy and design of scalable youth e-mental health solutions.