Loneliness
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this trial is to assess the effects of a positive psychology and CBT-based skills intervention-delivered through a mobile app called Nod-on loneliness and other mental health and institutional satisfaction outcomes. The primary outcome is self-reported loneliness at 2 and 4-weeks post baseline.
Detailed description
This study is a pilot eight-week randomized controlled intervention. It employs a waitlist control strategy for the first 4 weeks of the study (considered to be the active study period). Randomization will be to one of two conditions: 1. Experimental group: Immediate access to the Nod app 2. Waitlist control group: Participants will be granted access to the app four weeks after the experimental group Assessments will occur at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks follow up. Assessments will include measures of loneliness, and other mental health and institutional satisfaction measures listed in the secondary outcome measures section.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALLoneliness Intervention
28 days of engagement with the Nod app, which consists of interactive exercises drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy (e.g behavioral activation and cognitive reframing exercises), positive psychology (e.g. acts of kindness), and mindful self-compassion programs (e.g. loving-kindness meditations)
Sponsors
HopeLab Foundation
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
University of Oregon
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Incoming college first years * Live away from home without parents/guardians upon beginning college * Read English * Between 18 and 25 years of age * Own a smartphone
Exclusion criteria
* Do not read English * Under 18 years of age * Over 25 years of age * Do not own a smartphone
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Condition differences in self-reported loneliness | 2-weeks post baseline | Total score on the UCLA-8. Scores range from 8-32, higher scores indicate worse depression. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depressive symptoms | 2 and 4 weeks post baseline | Total score on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale. Scores range from 0-27, higher scores indicate worse depression. |
| Anxiety | 2 and 4 weeks post baseline | Total score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. Scores range from 0-21, higher scores indicate worse anxiety. |
| Social Anxiety | 2 and 4 weeks post baseline | Total score on the Mini Social Phobia Inventory. Scores range from 0-12, higher scores indicate worse social anxiety. |
| Self-reported intention to remain enrolled at the University of Oregon in the next academic year | 2 and 4 weeks post baseline | Self-reported intention to remain enrolled at the University of Oregon in the next academic year |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed