ES[S]PRIT – an Internet-based programme for the prevention and early intervention of eating disorders in college students
Abstract
New communication technologies offer novel possibilities for the prevention of mental illness, in which geographical and psychosocial distances often hamper help-seeking. This paper introduces ES[S]PRIT, an Internet-based eating disorders (ED) prevention programme for university students. The programme follows a stepped-care approach combining various support components of increasing intensity. These components comprise psychoeducation, symptom monitoring, supportive feedback, peer support, and professional online counselling. Participants who develop substantial ED symptoms during their participation are referred to the University Student Counselling Center. We outline the underlying concepts and various components of the programme and report first experiences with the approach in a sample of German college students. Finally, potentials of the approach are highlighted and the need for further research is stressed.
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There is evidence of ProYouth's acceptability and effectiveness, and its potential to facilitate access to traditional care.
“Originally developed in Germany and implemented in nine European countries, there is evidence of its acceptability and effectiveness [33–37], and its potential to facilitate access to traditional care [38, 39].”
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- Authors
- Bauer, S., Moessner, M., Wolf, M., Haug, S., & Kordy, H.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital Heidelberg
- University Hospital Heidelberg (DE)
- Universität Greifswald (DE)
- Venue
- British Journal of Guidance & Counselling
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-07-22
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 327-336
- ISSN
- 0306-9885 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-3534
- OpenAlex
- W2012931038
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 3.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Guidance and Counselling (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- eating disorders, early intervention, university students, stepped care, psychoeducation, symptom monitoring, peer support, online counseling, help-seeking, university counseling services
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