Journal article
Reducing distress in university students: A randomised control trial of two online interventions
Australian Psychologist, Vol.54(2), pp.125-131
2019
Abstract
Objective: University students experience high rates of distress and place increasing demands on provisions of support. Web-based interventions may provide a low-cost, accessible low intensity format to support students to make changes to improve their health and wellbeing. Method: This study evaluated the efficacy of two web-based interventions in the lead-up to final exams: one on general mental health (thedesk) and one specifically focused on coping with distress (Care . Collaborate . Connect: Student Success). Because most students believe that stress is a normal part of the student experience (which might inhibit the effectiveness of support that is provided), we hypothesised that a program emphasising coping with stress would be more effective than a general program. Participants were 70 students with self-reported elevated levels of psychological distress who were randomly assigned to one of the two programs. Results: Contrary to predictions, both groups had significant reductions in distress (Cohen's ds = 0.54 and 0.67, respectively). Participants in the coping intervention reported making significantly more changes and using specific coping strategies at follow-up. Conclusion: These results suggest that web-based interventions are effective in supporting students and improving emotional regulation.
Details
- Title
- Reducing distress in university students: A randomised control trial of two online interventions
- Authors
- Helen M Stallman (Corresponding Author) - University of South AustraliaJ L Ohan (Author) - University of Western AustraliaB Chiera (Author) - University of South Australia
- Publication details
- Australian Psychologist, Vol.54(2), pp.125-131
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1111/ap.12375
- ISSN
- 0005-0067; 0005-0067
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451475102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
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Source: InCites