Smartphone apps may help to prevent the transition from minor to severe mental health problems. We compared a free self-help smartphone app (COGITO; www.uke.de/cogito_app) against a wait-list condition for the improvement of self-esteem and depression.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale represented the primary outcome in this controlled trial. The final sample (n = 213) was randomly assigned to either the app or to the control condition.

The app condition significantly improved the primary outcome relative to controls for all analyses. Satisfaction of completers was high. The present results warrant independent replication; the retention rate needs to be increased to allow solid inferences about acceptance.

The present study demonstrates that the COGITO app may represent an effective self-help tool for psychological problems.

Depression

Well-being

Anxiety

Self-help

Smartphone app

© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.