Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Stress, Psychological
Conditions
Brief summary
This study was a randomized controlled trial of an original online mental health promotion program. This study aimed to: 1) establish program effectiveness by examining symptom change between conditions and 2) examine predictors of symptom change. The program was previously tested in open trial feasibility study by the same Principal Investigator and has since been rebuilt as informed by feasibility findings and participant qualitative feedback. Participants were randomly assigned to either a waitlist condition or eight weeks of the intervention condition. Baseline, posttest, and follow-up electronic surveys collected self-reported symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Motivational variables were also assessed at baseline and then tested as moderators of intervention effects.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStriveWeekly
The intervention (app.striveweekly.com) delivered eight modules: introduction module, six skills modules, and wrap-up module. The two program brand name versions had identical content, but different aesthetic schemes. Modules were released week-by-week, and participants self-guided through content. To facilitate skills practice, every module was accompanied by: a weekly intro email and reminder emails; an extras section for tips/suggestions; and a weekly prize drawing. The Dashboard section of the intervention displayed user progress. The Campus section of this dashboard provided: campus-specific announcements; referrals to relevant campus wellness resources; and an anonymous livestream of all campus users' activity. Strategies/skills included: Psychoeducation; Self-monitoring; Behavioral activation; Cognitive restructuring; Sleep hygiene; Time management; Interpersonal avoidance exposures; Physical exercise; Mindfulness; Maintenance planning.
Sponsors
University of California, Los Angeles
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* enrolled as a student at UCLA (Fall 2017 - Winter 2018)
Exclusion criteria
* concurrent enrollment in a similar online anxiety and depression treatment study on campus * invalid data reporting (e.g., straight-lined responses to surveys) -- post hoc exclusion
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) | [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)] | This 21-item self-report measure assesses symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Individual items are rated 0 (Did not apply to me at all) to 3 (Applied to me very much or most of the time), with total scores ranging 0 - 63. Lower scores at posttest relative to baseline indicate improvement. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program Adherence | [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)] | This outcome was assessed based on number of modules with 1+ skills practice log. Skills practice logs were recorded as behavioral data, stored within the online platform's database of user account activity. |
| Program Satisfaction | Posttest (~8 weeks) | This 5-item measure was adapted from the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Individual items are rated 1 (Poor) to 4 (Excellent), with total scores ranging 5 - 20. Higher scores indicate more satisfaction. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective Happiness Scale | [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)] | This 4-item self-report measure assesses subjective happiness. Individual items are rated 1 to 7, with total scores ranging 4 - 28. Higher scores at posttest relative to baseline indicate improvement. |
| Patient Health Questionnaire-9 | [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)] | This 9-item self-report measure assesses symptoms of major depressive disorder. Individual items are rated 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Nearly every day), with total scores ranging 0 - 27. Lower scores at posttest relative to baseline indicate improvement. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed