Validação de aplicativo de apoio em saúde mental com estudantes de uma instituição de ensino superior

Abstract

This research aimed to validate the Aconchego application with the target audience through usability, content, and appearance analysis, as well as a qualitative investigation of users’ perceptions. It is a methodological study with a mixed-methods approach, conducted between January and June 2025 at the Health Sciences Center of the State University of Vale do Acaraú, in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil, and approved by the Ethics Committee no. 5.186.296). The quantitative sample included 155 nursing and physical education students, selected by probabilistic sampling. Validation was carried out using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the technology evaluation questionnaire. The results revealed a high Content Validity Index (CVI = 0.96 for both instruments) and excellent internal reliability, confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha values: 0.865 for SUS and above 0.86 in all dimensions of the questionnaire (Objectives, Organization, Writing Style, Appearance, and Motivation). In the qualitative phase, a focus group with 21 students was conducted and analyzed according to Flick’s framework, from which six categories emerged: sense of support, emotional empowerment, valuing self-care, reflection on well-being, recognition of the support network, and identification of emotions. Participants highlighted the lightness, privacy, and autonomy provided by the application, as well as its contribution to reflecting on everyday emotions. Among the limitations, they pointed out accessibility challenges for people with visual impairments, the need for greater content personalization, the absence of inclusive language in some sections, and occasional technical issues in media loading. Furthermore, users emphasized that the application does not replace professional support, being more effective as a complementary resource for mental health care. The results show that the Aconchego application demonstrates high usability, clarity of purpose, appropriate aesthetics, and the ability to stimulate relevant reflections. Students expressed satisfaction with the user experience and the intention to recommend it. The integration of technical and subjective aspects confirms its effectiveness as a complementary psychological care tool in the academic environment. It is concluded that the application was successfully validated with the target audience, showing excellent acceptance, statistical reliability, and perceived relevance. The research reinforces the potential of digital technologies in promoting mental health, provided they are aligned with users’ needs and continuously improved. It also highlights the importance of expanding access to such resources in higher education as a strategy to promote emotional well-being and address psychological distress among students.