Depressive symptoms, subthreshold depression, elevated depressive mood, mild to moderate depression, psychological distress Mood problems in students
Conditions
Interventions
The interventions under investigation are two digital, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based programs delivered through the MoodLift platform, developed for university students.
1. 
 
Moodpep is a guided online self-help program that spans approximately 6 to 8 weeks. It includes core CBT components such as behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques. P
SpiralUp! is a brief, single-session intervention also based on CBT principles, with a focus on behavioral activation and goal-setting. Participants receive one-time written feedback from a coach afte
Sponsors
Vrije Universiteit
Eligibility
Age
16 Years to 64 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Participants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the study:Aged 18 years or olderCurrently enrolled as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD student at one of the nine participating universitiesSufficient proficiency in Dutch or EnglishSelf-reported mood problems, operationalized as a score of =10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Participants will be excluded from the study if they do not respond to the intake call with a study researcher prior to the start of the intervention.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary outcome of the study is the level of self-reported depressive symptoms, measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The main study parameter is the change in PHQ-9 scores from baseline to follow-up (2 and 8 weeks post-randomization), compared between the intervention groups (Moodpep and SpiralUp!) and the waitlist control group.Outcomes will be assessed at three time points: baseline (T0), 2 weeks post-randomization (T1), and 8 weeks post-randomization (T2). | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Secondary outcomes include: • Perceived stress, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), • Behavioral activation, measured with the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS), • Participant satisfaction, assessed through the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) and the Working Alliance Inventory for guided internet interventions (WAI-I), • Academic performance, measured via self-reported academic functioning and study outcomes. All outcomes will be assessed at three time points: baseline (T0), 2 weeks post-randomization (T1), and 8 weeks post-randomization (T2). | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Contacts
Public ContactNN Nas
Vrije Universiteit
Outcome results
None listed