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The Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology App in the General Population

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology App for Adults in the General Population Dealing With Negatives Consequences of the Corona Crisis

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05292560
Enrollment
250
Registered
2022-03-23
Start date
2022-04-04
Completion date
2022-10-01
Last updated
2022-11-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Adults, Anxiety, App, Depression, Mental Health, Positive Psychology, Well-being

Brief summary

The corona crisis has a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of the Dutch population. Positive psychology exercises (PPOs) can potentially improve mental well-being and reduce mild and moderate psychological complaints. Previous research has shown moderate to large effects of PPOs on well-being in people with reduced wellbeing and psychological symptoms at baseline. The University of Twente developed an app (Training in Positivity; TiP) based on an effective intervention. The goal of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of TiP in the general population in people experiencing reduced mental wellbeing as a result of the corona crisis. People using the app will be compared to a waiting list control group.

Interventions

OTHERTraining in positivity

The University of Twente developed an evidence-based positive psychology app that is aimed at increasing mental well-being and resilience (Training in positivity; TiP). TiP consists of a 3-week structured intervention, in which participants do two exercises every week for 6 days, aimed at increasing resilience and mental well-being. An exercise takes an average of 15 minutes per day.

Sponsors

University of Twente
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. The participant is at least 18 years old 2. The participant has an e-mail address and is in possession of a smartphone or tablet with access to the internet. 3. The participant is willing to do a positive psychology exercise 6 days a week for 3 weeks 4. The participant has sufficient command of the Dutch language to be able to complete questionnaires and exercises. 5. The participant gives consent to participate in the study using the online informed consent procedure.

Exclusion criteria

1. The presence of severe anxiety symptoms: a score of 15 or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 items (GAD-7) 2. The presence of severe depressive symptoms: a score of 20 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mental well-beingChange from baseline mental well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2).Mental well-being measured with the 14-item Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate more mental well-being.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
General self-efficacyChange from baseline general self-efficacy at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 10-item General Self-Efficacy Scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 40. Higher scores indicate more general self-efficacy.
SavoringChange from baseline savoring at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 24-item Savoring Beliefs inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate more savoring.
Self-compassionChange from baseline self-compassion at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 8-item self-reassurance subscale of the Forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate more self-compassion.
Ability to adaptChange from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 10-item Generic sense of ability to adapt scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 50. Higher scores indicate more ability to adapt.
Anxiety symptomsChange from baseline anxiety symptoms at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more anxiety symptoms.
Depression symptomsChange from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate more depression symptoms.
Spiritual well-beingChange from baseline spiritual well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with the 7-item Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 6. Higher scores indicate more spiritual well-being.
Positive reframingChange from baseline positive reframing at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)Measured with 2 items of the positive reframing subscale of the Coping Orientations and Problems Experienced inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate more positive reframing.

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026