Happify app

An app for anyone who would like to improve their personal well-being and learn more about positive psychology.

Happify app	By Versus Arthritis
	Features Goal setting. Follow different tracks based on your goals. Gamification. Reminders.
Country of origin	USA
Clinical review	Free version: Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free – basic Paid upgrade – annual or monthly fee
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

This app aims at making you feel happier. The core of the app is following different ‘tracks’ where you complete activities to reach a goal such as conquering negative thoughts, controlling anger, improving sleep etc. It uses ‘gamification’ with the ability to ‘level up’ and increase different ‘stats’ namely Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give and Empathise. The app is highly interactive, and there are many mini-games. You can take a positive psychology personality test to discover your strengths and then try and use these strengths in your daily life to increase wellbeing. For the complete app description, go to the App website(external link) , or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Several trials published showing improvement in well-being in those with chronic health conditions and young people, but this research should be taken as preliminary given the lack of control groups in the studies and small sample sizes. ✔ Activities are extensively explained and referenced although exercises prescribed may be only loosely associated with the theories they reference. ✔ Community section, but I couldn’t see any evidence of it being extensively monitored. ✔ Complete a validated personal character strengths questionnaire. ✔ Paired website, can complete activities on all devices. ✔ Attractive format.	✘ Some mini games felt gimmicky and are only very loosely associated with the positive psychology research findings they claim to support. ✘ Free version is very limited. ✘ Navigation was very slow. ✘ App is glitchy and logging in on a phone can be difficult. ✘ The use of “tracks” or individually prescribed courses means that the user is set 3 or 4 daily tasks chosen by the app each day. It is difficult to use these tools and strategies outside the days they are prescribed, limiting users’ ability to learn how to use psychological tools and incorporate these into daily life. This is a very passive way of engaging in wellbeing strategies. ✘ Some users will find it frustrating to have little choice in the coping tools and strategies they use each day. ✘ New Zealand audiences may find some interpersonal tasks and assignments do not match their ways of expressing themselves in relationships.

PROS

CONS

✔ Several trials published showing improvement in well-being in those with chronic health conditions and young people, but this research should be taken as preliminary given the lack of control groups in the studies and small sample sizes.

✔ Activities are extensively explained and referenced although exercises prescribed may be only loosely associated with the theories they reference.

✔ Community section, but I couldn’t see any evidence of it being extensively monitored.

✔ Complete a validated personal character strengths questionnaire.

✔ Paired website, can complete activities on all devices.

✔ Attractive format.

✘ Some mini games felt gimmicky and are only very loosely associated with the positive psychology research findings they claim to support.

✘ Free version is very limited.

✘ Navigation was very slow.

✘ App is glitchy and logging in on a phone can be difficult.

✘ The use of “tracks” or individually prescribed courses means that the user is set 3 or 4 daily tasks chosen by the app each day. It is difficult to use these tools and strategies outside the days they are prescribed, limiting users’ ability to learn how to use psychological tools and incorporate these into daily life. This is a very passive way of engaging in wellbeing strategies.

✘ Some users will find it frustrating to have little choice in the coping tools and strategies they use each day.

✘ New Zealand audiences may find some interpersonal tasks and assignments do not match their ways of expressing themselves in relationships.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Kris Garstang, Clinical Psychologist, Life Mind Psychology
Date of review: April 2022
Version: 1.76.1-111002f62734 (Free version)
Platform: Android
Comments: This app is a bit of a fun, light look at wellbeing. However, it can feel too superficial and the tasks assigned each day are not always actually evidenced based even though they are loosely related to research findings. I think that this app would be more effective if users were able to be more active in choosing their wellbeing activities each day rather than prescribed activities which must be completed before a user can move on to other activities. Some people will find this annoying. Some of the content is good but some is not and it is difficult to find one’s way to the tools and strategies that are useful and evidenced based such as mindfulness and autogenic relaxation exercises. Other exercises feel culturally inappropriate for a New Zealand audience, especially ones asking them to express feelings to others which may feel too expressive for New Zealanders. I would not recommend this app to friends or clients because of these factors.
NZ relevance: This app is designed for an American audience and New Zealanders may not relate to some of the assigned tasks.
Safety concerns: None.

Goal setting, problem solving and motivation apps
NZ Health App Library
Making changes and goal setting

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