Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Katrina M. Pann

Committee Member

David Weintraub

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

UTAUT2, behavioral intention, use behavior, apps, acceptance, telehealth, psychotherapy, psychotherapists, mental health practitioner, mental health, therapy, counseling, mental health treatment, eMobile health, social workers, counselors, apps acceptance, MHealth, telehealth technologies, mental health, intention to use, social workers, behavioral health

Abstract

This applied dissertation was designed to examine variables contributing to mental health providers’ attitudes toward the use of apps in psychotherapy, using the UTAUT2 post-COVID-19. There is a dearth of literature regarding the ways mental healthcare practitioners perceive the use of apps and how it affects their decision-making and acceptance of apps post-COVID-19. This dissertation was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology UTAUT2which posits that behavioral intention and use behavior are influenced by seven core constructs: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit. These constructs are subject to potential moderation by variables such as age, gender, experience, and voluntariness of use. The researcher distributed a survey to collect demographic information and professional characteristics of psychotherapists across the United States, along with UTAUT2 questionnaire questions, to 383 psychotherapists. An analysis of the data revealed that age, gender, race, years practicing psychotherapy, years using smartphone apps, voluntary use of smartphone apps, or professional setting do not substantially change the ways in which core predictors (e.g., performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence) influence behavioral intention or use. Performance Expectancy and Habit were the strongest factors that influenced therapists’ intention to use apps and their actual use of them. This means therapists were more likely to use an app if they saw how it helped them in their work and if it fit easily into their daily routine

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