“A great way to start the conversation”: Evidence for the Use of an
Adolescent Mental Health Chatbot Navigator for Youth at Risk of HIV and
other STIs
Abstract
Chatbot use is increasing for mobile health interventions on sensitive
and stigmatized topics like mental health because of their anonymity and
privacy. This anonymity provides acceptability to sexual and gendered
minority youth (ages 16-24) at increased risk of HIV and other STIs with
poor mental health due to higher levels of stigma, discrimination, and
social isolation. This study evaluates the usability of Tabatha-YYC, a
pilot chatbot navigator created to link these youth to mental health
resources. Tabatha-YYC was developed using a Youth Advisory Board (n=7),
and the final design underwent user testing (n=20) through a think-aloud
protocol, semi-structured interview, and a brief survey post-exposure
which included the Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation
Scale. The chatbot was found to be an acceptable mental health navigator
by participants. This study provides important design methodology
considerations and key insights into chatbot design preferences of youth
at risk of STIs seeking mental health resources.