Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Distress, PTSD Symptoms, Substance Use Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Experiment 1:
The study comprises three arms:
1. Kai AI Companion (Experimental): Participants will use Kai, a digital AI companion, daily for three months. Kai offers empathetic, affirming, and non-j
Sponsors
Reichman University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Experiment 1 - Participant inclusion criteria: 1. University students aged 18-35 years 2. Self-reported mild-to-moderate emotional distress (anxiety, sadness, stress) 3. Fluent in Hebrew 4. Access to smartphone or computer with internet 5. Willing to provide informed consent 6. Available to participate in weekly group sessions (for those assigned to group intervention) Experiment 2 - Participant inclusion criteria: 1. University students aged 18-35 years 2. Self-reported mild-to-moderate emotional distress (anxiety, sadness, stress) 3. Fluent in Hebrew 4. Access to smartphone or computer with internet 5. Willing to provide informed consent 6. Eligible for university counseling services 7. Not previously enrolled in university counseling services
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Experiment 1 - Participant exclusion criteria: 1. Active suicidal ideation or psychiatric crisis 2. Currently receiving psychotherapy or psychiatric medication 3. Diagnosed with severe mental disorder (psychosis, bipolar disorder) 4. Unable to commit to 12-week intervention period 5. Previous participation in similar group intervention programs Experiment 2 - Participant exclusion criteria: 1. Active suicidal ideation or psychiatric crisis 2. Currently receiving psychotherapy or psychiatric medication 3. Diagnosed with severe mental disorder (psychosis, bipolar disorder) 4. Previous participation in university counseling services within the past year 5. Current enrollment in other intervention studies
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1.Life Satisfaction measured using the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) at baseline and 3 months 2.Anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) at baseline and 3 months 3.Depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at baseline and 3 months 4.Well-Being measured using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index at baseline and 3 months 5.PTSD Symptoms measured using the PCL-5 (4-item version) at baseline and 3 months 6.Substance Use measured using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) at baseline and 3 months | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Help-Seeking Intention measured using the General Help Seeking Questionnaire at baseline and 3 months 2. Engagement with Kai measured by number of messages sent throughout intervention period 3. Perceptions of Kai's Supportive Qualities measured using an adapted version of Cash's Perceptions of Counselor Behavior scale at 3 months | — |
Countries
Israel
Contacts
Public ContactAnat Shoshani
Outcome results
None listed