A novel multi-component online intervention to improve the mental health of university students: Randomised controlled trial of the Uni Virtual Clinic
Date
2019
Authors
Farrer, Louise
Gulliver, Amelia
Katruss, Natasha
Fassnacht, Daniel
Kyrios, Michael
Batterham, Philip
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Abstract
Background
Of the millions of students enrolled in university, up to 50% will experience a mental disorder. Many of these students do not seek help, and for those who do, university-based services are often over-burdened. Anonymous, evidence-based, online interventions can improve students' access to mental health support. The Uni Virtual Clinic (UVC) is a transdiagnostic online mental health program designed specifically for university students. This paper reports on a randomised controlled trial examining the effectiveness of the UVC in a sample of Australian university students.
Methods
University students with elevated psychological distress (K10>15; n = 200) were randomised to the UVC intervention or a waitlist control condition for a period of 6 weeks. Baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up surveys assessed depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of life, adherence, and satisfaction with the UVC intervention.
Results
Mixed models analysis demonstrated that use of the UVC was associated with small significant reductions in social anxiety and small improvements in academic self-efficacy. The program was not effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or psychological distress compared to a control group. The majority of participants in the intervention condition who were retained at follow-up engaged with the program, and most of these participants reported satisfaction with the UVC.
Discussion
The results suggest that multi-component online interventions such as the UVC have utility in a university environment. Future trials of the UVC should examine the impact of guidance and/or tailoring on treatment efficacy, and the potential role of the UVC in a stepped care model incorporating on-campus services.
Description
Keywords
University students, Online intervention, Randomised controlled trial, Mental health Transdiagnostic
Citation
Collections
Source
Internet Interventions
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
Open Access
License Rights
CC BY-NC-ND license
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