Feasibility of a web-based program for universal prevention of anxiety and depression in university students: An open trial
Abstract
Objective: To examine the feasibility of a self-guided, Web-based program for universal prevention of anxiety and depression in university students. Participants: University students (n = 651) enrolled in the tested program (March, 2016). Methods: The program delivered eight weeks of mental health skills (e.g., behavioral activation, mindfulness). Data was collected online through an entry survey, weekly check-in surveys, and a post-program feedback survey. Results: Campus-wide recruitment emails were the most encountered recruitment strategy (82%). In terms of adherence, the program was initiated by 73% of students and fully completed by 11% of students. There was some evidence of program acceptability (e.g., 71% of students endorsed the program as “useful”). Common qualitative themes further suggested acceptability for some aspects of the program while also highlighting others for revision. Conclusion: Findings support further development of the online program and recommendations are made for improving the platform before future testing.
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Guided interventions are more frequently used for selective and indicated prevention, whereas self-guided ones are more frequently associated with universal prevention.
“Guided interventions are more frequently used for selective and indicated prevention, whereas self-guided ones are more frequently associated with universal prevention [12,13,14,15].”
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“Compared to studies in a recent meta-analysis on anxiety and depression prevention in university students, only one online program was tested on a larger sample than ours, while the 12 other online programs were tested with samples of 38 to 240 students.(20) Still, only 39% of students consented to the current researc…”
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- Authors
- Rith-Najarian, L. R., Chorpita, B. F., Gong-Guy, E., Hammons, H. R., & Chavira, D. A.
- Affiliations
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of American College Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2021-02-12
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 2519-2526
- ISSN
- 0164-4300 (ISSN-L)
- 0744-8481
- 1940-3208
- OpenAlex
- W3128650122
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of American College Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American College Health Foundation (Stephan D. Weiss Student Mental Health Award (# N/A))
- JPMorgan Chase and Company (Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Fellowship (# N/A))
- University of California, Los Angeles (Graduate Division Dissertation Year Fellowship (# N/A), Life Science Innovation Fund Award (# N/A))
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- online intervention, universal prevention, anxiety, depression, university students, behavioral activation, mindfulness, program feasibility, program acceptability, program adherence, recruitment strategies
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Depression, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Students, Universities, Internet
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