Developing a Safety Planning Smartphone App to Support Adolescents' Self-Management During Emotional Crises

Title data

Großmann, Tamara ; Hörger, Jana ; Bayer, Nadine ; Bückle, Sophie ; Buschek, Daniel ; Fegert, Jörg M. ; Laurenz, Peter ; Lühr, Matthias ; Marek, Franziska ; Rassenhofer, Miriam ; Oexle, Nathalie:
Developing a Safety Planning Smartphone App to Support Adolescents' Self-Management During Emotional Crises.
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Vol. 22 (2025) Issue 11 . - 1607.
ISSN 1660-4601
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111607

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, highlighting the need for effective suicide prevention strategies. Safety planning is a best-practice intervention that has recently shifted toward smartphone-based formats. This study explored stakeholder perspectives (adolescents, parents, practitioners) and described the development of an age-tailored app. A qualitative study was conducted in Germany (2023–2024) with focus groups involving adolescents (n = 7), parents (n = 4), and practitioners (n = 4). Adolescents (14–21 years) were eligible if they had received inpatient treatment, experienced suicidal thoughts within the past 24 months, and had prior experience with safety planning. Parents and practitioners had experience or expertise with suicidality among adolescents. Data were analyzed using Kuckartz’s qualitative content analysis. App development was based, among other things, on insights from focus groups and pertinent theories. Stakeholders expressed differing needs regarding app content, settings, and adjustability. The developed emira-app includes an interactive safety plan to support users in self-managing emotional crises, along with additional features (e.g., digital HopeBox and diary) to promote integration into users’ daily routines. This multi-component safety planning app was specifically developed for adolescents, and its participatory development process allowed an intensive exploration of key stakeholders’ perspectives.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Computer Science Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Computer Science > Chair Applied Computer Science IX > Chair Applied Computer Science - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Daniel Buschek
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	000 Computer Science, information, general works > 004 Computer science
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2026 07:05
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2026 07:05
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/96271