Usability of a Technology-Based Bystander Bullying Intervention for Middle School Students in Rural, Low-Income Communities: Mixed Methods Study

Background Students who are targets of bullying and who witness bullying are at high risk for negative mental health outcomes. Bystander training is essential to reduce bullying and the negative associated consequences for targets and bystanders. Resources necessary for program delivery, however, pose significant barriers for schools, particularly those in rural, low-income communities. Technology-based programs can reduce health disparities for students in these communities through cost-effective, easy-to-disseminate programming. Objective The aim of this study is to conduct usability testing of a bystander bullying web app prototype, STAC-T (technology-based STAC, which stands for the 4 bystander strategies Stealing the Show, Turning it Over, Accompanying Others, and Coaching Compassion) as an initial step in the development of a full-scale STAC-T intervention. Objectives include assessing usability and acceptability of the STAC-T prototype, understanding school needs and barriers to program implementation, and assessing differences in usability between school personnel and students. Methods A sample of 16 participants, including school personnel and students recruited from 3 middle schools in rural, low-income communities, completed usability testing followed by a qualitative interview. Descriptive statistics, 2-tailed independent sample t tests, and consensual qualitative research were used to assess usability and program satisfaction and to extract themes related to acceptability, feasibility, needs, barriers, and feedback for intervention development. Results Usability testing indicated that the app was easy to use, acceptable, and feasible. Both school personnel (mean rating 89.6, SD 5.1) and students (mean rating 91.8, SD 7.0) rated the app well above the standard cutoff score for above-average usability (ie, 68), and both school personnel (mean rating 5.83, SD 0.41) and students (mean rating 6.10, SD 0.57) gave the app high user-friendliness ratings (0-7 scale, with 7 as high user-friendliness). The overall ratings also suggested that school personnel and students were satisfied with the program. Of the 6 school personnel who said they would recommend the program, 1 (17%), 4 (66%), and 1 (17%) rated the program as 3, 4, and 5 stars, respectively; 80% (8/10) of students said they would recommend the program; and 60% (6/10) and 40% (4/10) rated the program as 4 stars and 5 stars, respectively. Qualitative data revealed that school personnel and students found the STAC-T app to be useful, user-friendly, and relevant, while providing feedback related to the importance of digital learning activities that engage the user. Data from school personnel also indicated positive perceptions regarding program feasibility and probability of program adoption, with the most significant barrier being cost, suggesting the importance of considering the financial resources available to schools in rural, low-income communities when setting the price point for the full-scale STAC-T intervention. Conclusions This study provides support for the full-scale development of the STAC-T app and provides key information for revision to enhance used engagement. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04681495; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04681495