Older veterans expressed interest in mobile mental health apps but face critical barriers including lack of familiarity and proficiency with technology, and a newly developed 2-session remote educational group (MoDAL) showed statistically significant though small improvements in mobile device proficiency.
Most older veterans expressed interest in using mental health apps to address mental health-related issues such as difficulties with social connection.
Lack of familiarity and proficiency with mobile devices and app technology was identified as one of the most common barriers to using mental health apps among older veterans.
Veterans reported interest in receiving coaching support for using mobile mental health apps, though they expressed preferences for more individualized and in-person support.
The Mobile Device and App Learning (MoDAL) program was developed as a 2-session, interactive, remote educational group based on themes identified in qualitative interviews.
Participants' mobile device proficiency showed a statistically significant improvement on average from pre- to post-MoDAL, although the effect was small.
MoDAL was found to be acceptable and feasible in its pilot with older veterans.
This research suggests that older military veterans are generally interested in using smartphone apps to help with mental health issues like loneliness, but many face significant obstacles that prevent them from actually using these tools. The biggest hurdle identified was simply not being comfortable or familiar enough with mobile devices and apps. Other obstacles included difficulty with how the technology is designed, lack of motivation, and memory challenges. Veterans also said they would appreciate help learning to use these apps, preferring one-on-one or in-person coaching but recognizing trade-offs with different formats. In response to these findings, the researchers developed a program called MoDAL (Mobile Device and App Learning), a two-session remote group workshop designed to build older veterans' comfort and skills with mobile technology. When tested with 13 older veterans, the program showed a statistically significant improvement in participants' mobile device proficiency, though the improvement was modest and the small number of participants means results should be interpreted cautiously. Most participants also reported finding the program helpful. This research suggests that addressing technology literacy is an important first step before older veterans can benefit from digital mental health tools. Programs like MoDAL could help bridge this gap within healthcare systems like the Veterans Health Administration, potentially making mental health apps and other virtual care options more accessible to older veterans who might not otherwise seek or receive care.
Lutz J, Davis C, Beaudreau S, Gould C. (2026). Helping Older Veterans Use Mental Health Apps: Qualitative Interviews and Development of a New Program.. JMIR formative research. https://doi.org/10.2196/87361