Friday Five – Caregiver Impact Study by Mightier
5 Ways Digital Therapeutics are Transforming Caregivers’ Lives and Careers
By Dr. Jason Kahn, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, Mightier
Parents often face significant challenges when their child’s mental health is struggling, impacting both their personal lives and professional responsibilities. At-home digital therapeutics (DTx) are stepping in to offer vital support, bringing new hope and tangible improvements for caregivers. Findings from a new study by Mightier highlight the significant trade-offs and choices that parents, primarily mothers, make to support their children’s mental and behavioral health. The study also reveals substantial career and mental health benefits after their children engage with Mightier’s at-home, play-based digital therapeutic program.
Here are five key ways that at-home DTx innovations are making an impact on caregivers:
1. Supporting Career Advancement
Career sacrifices are a common reality for caregivers managing their child’s health needs. Of the 379 caregivers surveyed, 69% of caregivers faced negative career impacts as a result of their child’s mental or behavioral health, with many foregoing advancements, reducing work hours, accepting less ideal roles, or leaving the workforce entirely. Integration of at-home, play-based digital therapeutic tools provides critical support and actionable health insights, enabling caregivers to pursue professional growth and career opportunities without compromising their family’s health and well-being.
2. Reducing Stress and Enhancing Mental Health
At-home digital therapeutic programs offer structured, data-driven interventions that significantly improve emotional regulation in children. The Mightier study found that 84% of caregivers observed substantial improvements in their child’s emotional management. This directly correlated with reduced parenting stress levels and improved mental health for caregivers, underscoring the profound ripple effect of effective DTx solutions on overall well-being.
3. Improving Work Performance and Reducing Absenteeism
The dual demands of caregiving and professional responsibilities often lead to significant work disruptions. Before utilizing DTx tools at home, 36% of caregivers reported missing two or more workdays monthly due to their child’s mental health needs. After 12 weeks of utilizing the program, this figure dropped dramatically to 15%, equating to 50 fewer missed workdays monthly across participants. Additionally, there was a 24% improvement in self-reported work quality, highlighting DTx’s role in stabilizing familial conditions and mitigating workplace distractions.
4. Promoting Health Equity and Accessibility
Digital therapeutics play a crucial role in democratizing access to healthcare. By offering scalable, personalized interventions that can be accessed remotely, DTx bridges gaps caused by geographic, financial, or social constraints. This ensures that more families, especially those in underserved populations, benefit from advanced health management tools, thereby reducing disparities in health outcomes and fostering a more equitable healthcare system.
5. Enhancing Overall Family Wellbeing
The holistic benefits of digital therapeutics extend beyond individual patients to enhance family dynamics. Our study revealed significant improvements in caregivers’ mental health, happiness, life satisfaction, and physical health. Effective management of a child’s health through DTx reduces household stress and creates a stable, supportive environment. Caregivers reported higher engagement in valued activities and relationships, demonstrating the broader impact of DTx on family life.
Digital therapeutics offer a lifeline by reducing stress, enhancing work performance, supporting career growth, promoting health equity, and improving overall family well-being. At-home digital therapeutic programs not only nurture positive outcomes but also provide essential support to caregivers, creating more resilient and healthy families.
Dr. Jason Kahn is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Mightier, a clinically-validated, play-based digital therapeutic program developed out of Boston Children’s and Harvard Medical School, designed to help kids and teens build emotional strength.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
