We are conducting a study at the Columbia School of Social Work to examine associations between adolescent mental health and physiological data (collected through smart watches), sociability metrics (e.g., number of texts, amount of time on social media platforms) and self-reported daily stressors (collected through mobile surveys) and use this data to inform the development of a just-in-time adaptive intervention (delivered by smartphone) to reduce mental health problems among adolescents. Just-in-time adaptive interventions aim to provide the right type/amount of support, at the right time, by adapting to an individual’s changing internal and contextual state. We are looking for a student(s) to develop a mobile app (Android and iOS compatible) that has the following capabilities:

  1. Ability to deliver daily diary surveys, ecological momentary assessments (based on physiological triggers from the smart watch), and scheduled surveys.
  2. Ability to collect data from a smartwatch (both continuously collected data and summary API data). Data types we are interested in collecting are heart rate, stress, and sleep (though the ability to collect other types of data, such as physical activity, could also expand the app’s applicability).
  3. Ability to deliver a variety of mental health intervention content that can be individually adapted.

This is an UNPAID research project.

Faculty Advisor

  • Professor: Alissa Davis
  • Department/School: School of Social Work

Project Timeline

  • Earliest starting date: 3/1/2021
  • End date: 7/30/2021
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Spring 2021: ~6
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Summer 2021: ~6

Candidate requirements

  • Skill sets: Ability to develop a mobile app that is Android and iOS compatible
  • Student eligibility: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, master’s
  • International students on F1 or J1 visa: eligible
  • Academic Credit Possible: Yes