A Framework for Developing mHealth Initiatives to Support Rural Caregivers of adolescents with Mental Health Issues

Rural caregivers of adolescents with mental health issues shoulder a heavy caregiving burden while facing unmet needs. Caregiver's unmet needs necessitate supporting initiatives. mHealth (mobile health) is commonly identified as an accessible means of implementing health initiatives through mobile devices such as cell phones and offers solutions with a variety of capabilities. Frameworks to inform mHealth development for caregivers in rural communities are lacking. This study aimed to develop a framework for an mHealth initiative supporting rural caregivers of adolescents with mental health issues. A multiple-method design guided the framework's development through a three-phase approach. Two separate studies were previously conducted in cumulative phases. Triangulated data from these two phases resulted in a draft framework guided by the theory-of-change logic model. Nine (n=9) expert stakeholders were purposefully invited to participate in a one-day workshop to validate the draft framework. The expert stakeholders validated and finalised the draft framework during the workshop. The final framework visualises the six theory-of-change logic model components. The developed framework could guide the planning of mHealth initiatives supporting rural caregivers in resource-constrained communities.