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Randomised Control Trial of a Low-Intensity Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy Intervention to Improve Mental Health in University Students
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Randomised Control Trial of a Low-Intensity Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy Intervention to Improve Mental Health in University Students

Helen M Stallman, D J Kavanagh, A R Arklay and J Bennett-Levy
Australian Psychologist, Vol.51(2), pp.145-153
2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12113
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12113View
Published Version

Abstract

anxiety CBT connectedness depression low intensity University students
Objective: University students have high rates of clinical and subclinical depression and anxiety symptoms, low rates of face-to-face help-seeking, and high rates of Internet use. Low-intensity cognitive-behaviour therapy (LI-CBT) that incorporates e-resources has potential for increasing access to help by distressed students. Method: This article reports the first randomised controlled trial of LI-CBT in a university context, comparing it with self-help information only. Results: Only 11% of distressed students agreed to participate in treatment, and only 58% of LI-CBT participants attended any sessions. Almost all of the 107 participants were female, with an average age of 23 and high average distress. Intention-to-treat analyses using mixed models regressions showed that LI-CBT participants had greater reductions in depression and anxiety than controls who received self-help information only, but only over the first 2 months. Correction for baseline levels eliminated these effects, although differential improvements for anxiety and stress were seen if analyses were restricted to LI-CBT participants who attended sessions. LI-CBT also resulted in differential reductions in perceived connection to the university perhaps because of greater usage of staff resources by controls. Conclusions: Results provide some support for a potential role for LI-CBT within universities, but suggest that marketing and engagement strategies may need refinement to maximise its uptake and impact.

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19 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Domestic collaboration
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Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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