📄 Abstract
This study evaluated an app-based digital peer support network designed to reduce anxiety among youth aged 15–24 in Nueva Ecija. Employing a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, the study utilized multi-stage cluster sampling to select N = 400 respondents proportionally distributed across the province's four congressional districts, equitably capturing urban centers like Cabanatuan and Gapan, alongside rural municipalities like Guimba and Rizal. Over an eight-week period, participants engaged with a mobile application featuring peer-led chat networks, localized coping modules, and moderated forums. To measure changes in anxiety severity, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale was administered electronically pre- and post-intervention. Data collection strictly adhered to ethical protocols under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the PAP Code of Ethics, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary involvement. Collected data were analyzed using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics. Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in overall anxiety scores post-intervention, validating the psychometric sensitivity of the GAD-7 within the local context. Descriptive data demonstrated high platform engagement, proving that localized modules and immediate peer connectivity effectively mitigated day-to-day stressors. Ultimately, the study concludes that digital peer support networks serve as viable, scalable, and reliable interventions, offering community stakeholders in Nueva Ecija a potent, tech-enabled strategy to decentralize psychological support, bridge existing gaps in grassroots mental health services, and foster long-term youth well-being.
🏷️ Keywords
📚 How to Cite:
Richard C. Arambulo , DIGITAL PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS: EVALUATING APP-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR REDUCING ANXIETY IN URBAN BARANGAY YOUTH OF NUEVA ECIJA , Volume 12 , Issue 7, July 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 79 - 83 ,