User Experience in Digital Guided Self-Help Resources within the Interconnected Project

Background: Digital guided self-help (GSH) interventions are increasingly used to address eating disorders (EDs), offering scalable support through psychoeducational and peer-based formats. However, little is known about how users engage with the different components of such interventions. Aims: This study aimed to investigate engagement patterns with the INTERconNEcT-ED(s) digital GSH program, which includes narrative video modules, structured self-help workbooks, and peer-led online forums. The focus was on describing how each resource was used by participants and identifying elements that foster or hinder engagement. Methods: Thirty-seven female participants engaged with the eight-week digital intervention. Quantitative data on resource usage were collected through the digital platform and analyzed descriptively. Engagement frequencies were compared across users and non-users for each component. Participation in therapist-led group sessions was also examined. Results: Narrative videos were the most frequently accessed resource among active users, likely due to their emotional immediacy and alignment with recovery-oriented principles. Peer-led forums showed broad reach and encouraged social learning and reflection. Workbooks were minimally accessed, in part due to technical limitations. Therapist-led group sessions, available to a subgroup, showed high attendance. Discussion: The findings emphasize the importance of varied, emotionally engaging, and accessible formats in digital ED interventions. Results support the development of stepped-care approaches that integrate multimedia content, peer support, and optional therapist input. Attention to usability, personalization, and content delivery may enhance future program impact and sustainability.