Automated texting system shows promise for use with Latina girls

A University of Minnesota pilot supports the feasibility and value of a university-based, automated text messaging data collection system for use with Latina female adolescents, according to a study published in Journal of Medical Internet Research mHealth and uHealth.

Researchers developed the Youth Ecological Momentary Assessment System (YEMAS) to collect automated texted reports of daily activities, behaviors and attitudes among adolescents. This system was created to collect and transfer real-time data about individual- and social-level factors that influence physical, mental, emotional and social well-being, according to the study.

Upon development, a YEMAS feasibility pilot was launched with 24 adolescent girls who all self-identified as Latina. Using YEMAS, the participants responded to four daily surveys for two two-week periods. Each survey contained between 12 to 17 questions, with responses including yes/no, Likert scale and open-ended options.

The pilot proved successful, with participants providing nearly 18,000 texts during the study and exhibiting high retention and compliance.

“This approach capitalizes on immediate data transfer protocols and enables the documentation of participants’ thoughts, feelings and behaviors in real time. Data are collected using mobile devices that are familiar to participants and nearly ubiquitous in developed countries,” wrote Carolyn Garcia, MPH, PhD, University of Minnesota, et al.

Read the study here.