AI Insight
This qualitative study examined 71 refugees' experiences using a digital mental health screening tool (i-TAP) in Sweden through semi-structured interviews conducted in multiple languages. Participants found the tool relevant, user-friendly, and acceptable, confirming its content validity for screening common psychiatric symptoms in refugee populations. However, participants emphasized that digital screening should complement rather than replace in-person care, and that implementation success depends on ensuring screened individuals receive appropriate follow-up support.
Why it matters
Digital mental health screening tools could help overcome barriers to mental health services for refugee populations, who often face challenges accessing traditional care. The study provides evidence that culturally adapted digital assessments can be acceptable to refugees when implemented thoughtfully, with attention to language, trust, health literacy, and guaranteed pathways to actual treatment.
Understand the Science
BackgroundDigital mental health tools hold potential to bridge barriers to services, and efficient screening could facilitate access and assessment. An internet-based tiered assessment procedure (i-TAP) screening for common psychiatric symptoms among refugees has been developed and validated in previous work. Further validation requires investigation of acceptability and content validity, which in turn can inform potential implementation.AimThis study aimed to explore the user experience with the i-TAP among individuals with a refugee background in Sweden, with a particular focus on acceptability and content validity.MethodsIn conjunction with a psychometric validation study of the i-TAP, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 71 adult participants with a refugee background living in Sweden. Interviews were conducted in Arabic, Dari, Farsi and Swedish, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were generated. Two themes addressed the content and usability of the i-TAP: Capturing what matters – but not everything that matters and A user-friendly and accessible tool – provided sufficient (health) literacy. A third theme: Digital mental health screening could facilitate care, but can not replace a care visit, highlighted perspectives on prospective implementation. The fourth theme, Sharing can be difficult, but opens the door to support, reflected emotional and cultural aspects of addressing mental health issues.ConclusionParticipants mainly found the i-TAP to be relevant and easy to use, and the digital format familiar. Items were comprehensible and relevant topics were covered, supporting content validity. Concurrent and prospective acceptability was high; however, with the prerequisite that screening must lead to action. The results highlighted the importance of trust and language when addressing mental health. We suggest developments to increase usability and comprehensiveness, and discuss considerations important for implementation.