Pilot Study of the Bolster mHealth App to Support Caregivers of Young Adults with Early Psychosis in North Carolina

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a mobile health mHealth intervention called Bolster designed to support caregivers of young people experiencing early psychosis within a network of early psychosis programs in North Carolina. This pilot study aims to test the feasibility of recruiting caregivers through program outreach, develop tailored outreach resources for the state, and assess the interventions ability to reduce caregiver psychological distress and improve family communication. Participants will receive access to the Bolster smartphone application, which offers self-guided psychoeducation and communication coaching specifically for caregivers of young adults with early psychosis. Alongside app access, caregivers can contact the research team by phone for technical support. The study involves baseline and post-intervention assessments to measure changes in caregiver psychological morbidity, family communication, illness knowledge, emotional distress related to illness, coping self-efficacy, and caregiving experiences over a 12-week period. During the study, caregivers complete baseline measures and then use the Bolster app over 12 weeks. Researchers will collect data at the start and end of this period to evaluate changes in key outcomes. The study focuses on remote recruitment through early psychosis program outreach and ongoing technical support, with the total participation duration covering the 12-week intervention and follow-up assessments.

mHealth for Early Psychosis Caregivers in Statewide Program Outreach