Abstract
Aim
To identify and synthesise recommendations and guidelines for mental health chatbot conversational design.
Design
Integrative review.
Methods
Suitable publications presenting recommendations or guidelines for mental health conversational design were included. The quality of included publications was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Thematic analysis was conducted.
Data sources
Primary searches limited to last 10 years were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ACM Digital Library and EBSCO databases including APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, APA PsycArticles and MEDLINE in February 2023 and updated in October 2023. A secondary search was conducted in Google Scholar in May 2023.
Results
Of 1684 articles screened, 16 publications were selected. Three overarching themes were developed: (1) explicit knowledge about chatbot design and domain, (2) knowing your audience and (3) creating a safe space to engage. Results highlight that creating pleasant and effective conversations with a mental health chatbot requires careful and professional planning in advance, defining the target group and working together with it to address its needs and preferences. It is essential to emphasise the pleasant user experience and safety from both technical and psychological perspectives.
Conclusion
Recommendations for mental health chatbot conversational design have evolved and become more specific in recent years. Recommendations set high standards for mental health chatbots. To meet that, co-design, explicit knowledge of the user needs, domain and conversational design is needed.
To identify and synthesise recommendations and guidelines for mental health chatbot conversational design.
Design
Integrative review.
Methods
Suitable publications presenting recommendations or guidelines for mental health conversational design were included. The quality of included publications was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Thematic analysis was conducted.
Data sources
Primary searches limited to last 10 years were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ACM Digital Library and EBSCO databases including APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, APA PsycArticles and MEDLINE in February 2023 and updated in October 2023. A secondary search was conducted in Google Scholar in May 2023.
Results
Of 1684 articles screened, 16 publications were selected. Three overarching themes were developed: (1) explicit knowledge about chatbot design and domain, (2) knowing your audience and (3) creating a safe space to engage. Results highlight that creating pleasant and effective conversations with a mental health chatbot requires careful and professional planning in advance, defining the target group and working together with it to address its needs and preferences. It is essential to emphasise the pleasant user experience and safety from both technical and psychological perspectives.
Conclusion
Recommendations for mental health chatbot conversational design have evolved and become more specific in recent years. Recommendations set high standards for mental health chatbots. To meet that, co-design, explicit knowledge of the user needs, domain and conversational design is needed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
| Early online date | 22 Jan 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published online - 22 Jan 2025 |
Bibliographical note
© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Data Access Statement
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.Keywords
- chatboys
- coversational design
- health
- mental health
- chatbots
- conversational design
