scholarly journals Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey

Background. Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, suggesting promise to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be especially scalable, particularly if freely available for as-needed use. However, online SSIs’ acceptability and effects have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, leaving their practical utility poorly understood. Objective. We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment & Support; www.schleiderlab.org/yes), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. Method. After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, youth participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically-relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (e.g. hopelessness; self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. Results. From 9/2019-3/2020, 694 youths accessed YES, of whom 539 began and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically-elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (dav = .53; dz = .71), self-hate (dav = .32; dz = .61), perceived control (dav = .60; dz = .72) and agency (dav = .39; dz = .50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (e.g., enjoyable; likely to help peers). Conclusions. Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress.

10.2196/20513 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. e20513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey

Background Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, promising to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be uniquely scalable, particularly if they are freely available for as-needed use. However, the acceptability of online SSI and their efficacy have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, and their practical utility is poorly understood. Objective We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment & Support), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. Methods After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (eg, hopelessness, self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. Results From September 2019 through March 2020, 694 youths accessed YES, 539 began, and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (dav=0.53; dz=0.71), self-hate (dav=0.32; dz=0.61), perceived control (dav=0.60; dz=0.72) and agency (dav=0.39; dz=0.50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (eg, enjoyable, likely to help peers). Conclusions Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress. Trial Registration Open Science Framework; osf.io/e52p3


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey

BACKGROUND Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, promising to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be uniquely scalable, particularly if they are freely available for as-needed use. However, the acceptability of online SSI and their efficacy have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, and their practical utility is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment &amp; Support), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. METHODS After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (eg, hopelessness, self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. RESULTS From September 2019 through March 2020, 694 youths accessed YES, 539 began, and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.53; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.71), self-hate (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.32; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.61), perceived control (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.60; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.72) and agency (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.39; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (eg, enjoyable, likely to help peers). CONCLUSIONS Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress. CLINICALTRIAL Open Science Framework; osf.io/e52p3


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mullarkey ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Isaac Ahuvia ◽  
Jason Shumake ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Anxiety is rising across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, and social distancing mandates preclude in-person mental healthcare. Anxiety is not necessarily pathological; however, increased worrying about COVID-19 shows links to more severe anxiety pathology. Greater perceived control over anxiety has predicted decreased anxiety pathology, including adaptive responses to uncontrollable stressors. Evidence suggests that no-therapist, single-session interventions can strengthen perceived control over emotions like anxiety; similar programs, if designed for the COVID-19 context, could hold substantial public health value. OBJECTIVE Our registered report tested whether a no-therapist, single-session online intervention adapted for the COVID-19 context could: 1) decrease generalized anxiety and increase perceived control over anxiety, versus a placebo intervention and 2) achieve this without decreasing social-distancing intentions. METHODS We tested these questions using a between-subjects design in a weighted-probability sample of U.S. adults (N=500). RESULTS We found no support for therapeutic or iatrogenic effects; effects on generalized anxiety were d = -0.06 (P = 0.48, CI [-0.27, 0.15]), effects on perceived control were d = 0.04 (P = 0.48, CI [-0.08, 0.16]), and effects on social-distancing intentions were d = -0.02 (P = 0.83, CI [-0.23, 0.19]). CONCLUSIONS Strengths of this study included a large, nationally representative sample and adherence to open science practices. Implications for scalable interventions are discussed. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04459455


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Liljeroos ◽  
Anna Strömberg ◽  
Kristofer Årestedt ◽  
Misook L Chung

Background: As treatment has improved, patients with heart failure live longer, and the care mostly takes place at home with partners providing the main assistance. Perceived control over heart failure is important in managing self-care activities to maintain health in patients and their family. Depressive symptoms are associated with impaired health status in patients with heart failure and their family. However, there is limited knowledge about how depressive symptoms affect the relationship between health status and perceived control over heart failure in patients with heart failure and their cohabiting partners. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between perceived control and health status (i.e. mental and physical) was mediated by depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure and their partners. Methods: In this secondary data analysis, we included 132 heart failure patients and 132 partners who completed measures of depressive symptoms (the Beck depression inventory II), perceived control (the control attitude scale), and physical and mental health status (the short form-36) instruments. The mediation effect of depression was examined using a series of multiple regression in patients and their family caregivers separately. Results: We found a mediator effect of depressive symptoms in the relationship between perceived control and mental health status in both patients and partners. The relationship between perceived control and physical health status was mediated by depressive symptoms in the patients, not in the partners. Conclusion: Efforts to improve self-care management and maintenance by targeting perceived control may be more effective if depressive symptoms are also effectively managed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee Schleider ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey ◽  
John R Weisz

BACKGROUND Depression is the leading cause of disability in youth, with a global economic burden of US >$210 billion annually. However, up to 70% of youth with depression do not receive services. Even among those who do access treatment, 30% to 65% fail to respond and many dropout prematurely, demonstrating a need for more potent, accessible interventions. In a previous trial, a single-session Web-based growth mindset (GM) intervention significantly reduced depressive symptoms in high-symptom adolescents; however, this intervention did not benefit adolescents uniformly. For instance, the intervention reduced depression in adolescents who reported post intervention increases in perceived control, but it did not lead to significant depression reductions in adolescents who reported no significant post intervention increases in perceived control. OBJECTIVE The goal of this project is to test the acceptability and efficacy of a novel, single-session, virtual reality (VR) depression intervention—the VR Personality Project—teaching GM, the belief that personal attributes are malleable rather than fixed. The VR Personality Project was designed to systematically target and increase adolescents’ perceived control by offering a more immersive, engaging, user-directed intervention experience than the Web-based intervention can provide. By targeting an identified predictor of intervention response, the VR Personality Project may lead to larger reductions in depressive symptoms than existing Web-based mindset interventions. METHODS Adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms or a recent history of depression (N=159; ages 12 to 16 years) will be randomized to one of 3 intervention conditions: the VR Personality Project; the Web-based GM intervention tested previously; or an active, Web-based control. Adolescents and their parents will report on the adolescents’ depression symptoms, perceived control, and related domains of functioning at preintervention, postintervention, and at 3- and 9-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS We predict that the VR and Web-based mindset interventions will both lead to larger reductions in adolescent symptoms than the control intervention. Additionally, we predict that the VR-based single session intervention will lead to larger reductions in depression than the online mindset intervention and that these symptom reductions will be mediated by increases in adolescents’ perceived control from pre- to postintervention. CONCLUSIONS The results may suggest an efficient strategy for reducing adolescent depressive symptoms: One that is mechanism-targeted, relatively affordable (less than US $200 for a commercially available VR headset, a fraction of the cost of long-term psychotherapy) and potentially engaging to adolescents experiencing mood-related distress. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0385881; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03858881 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/78C3roDgA). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13368


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-33
Author(s):  
Peter A. Cornish ◽  
Annmarie Churchill ◽  
Heather J. Hair

Single-session, or one-at-a-time, open-access care is central to the mental health care system transformation process now underway in several parts of Canada. Single-session principles align well with a mental health recovery strategy and the new Stepped Care 2.0 (SC2.0) model under consideration across Canada. SC2.0 provides a framework for integrating single-session open-access care within the broader mental health ecosystem. Through continuous co-design the model connects values and addresses inevitable tensions that arise when attempting system integration. Model development and scaling is still in the early stages. More work needs to be done, including both program evaluation and independent research. Continued critical attention is the only way to maximize impact at a population level. With open access to an array of resources, organized to meet people where they are in terms of readiness, functioning and capacity for engagement, population mental health is possible. This paper highlights the importance and effectiveness of open-access counseling in a stepped care framework.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798832110300
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Ellison ◽  
Andrea R. Semlow ◽  
Emily C. Jaeger ◽  
Derek M. Griffth

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a source of stress and have important mental health implications for all persons but may have unique implications for men. In addition to the risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19, the rising COVID-19 death toll, ongoing economic uncertainty, loneliness from social distancing, and other changes to our lifestyles make up the perfect recipe for a decline in mental health. In June 2020, men reported slightly lower rates of anxiety than women, but had higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. As of September 2020, men sought mental health care at a higher rate than women for family and relationships, with year-over-year visits up 5.5 times and total virtual mental health care visits monthly growth in 2020 was up 79% since January. Because men are not a homogeneous group, it is important to implement strategies for groups of men that may have particularly unique needs. In this paper, we discuss considerations for intervening in men’s mental health during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including current technology-based cyberpsychology options.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akash Wasil ◽  
Madison Taylor ◽  
Rose Franzen ◽  
Joshua Steinberg ◽  
Robert DeRubeis

The COVID-19 outbreak has simultaneously increased the need for mental health services and decreased their availability. Brief online self-help interventions that can be completed in a single session could be especially helpful in improving access to care during the crisis. However, little is known about the uptake, acceptability, and perceived utility of these interventions outside of clinical trials in which participants are compensated. Here, we describe the development, deployment, acceptability ratings, and pre-post effects of a single-session intervention, the Common Elements Toolbox (COMET), adapted for the COVID-19 crisis to support graduate and professional students. Participants (n = 263), who were not compensated, were randomly assigned to two of three modules: behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and gratitude. Over one week, 263 individuals began and 189 individuals (72%) completed the intervention. Participants reported that the intervention modules were acceptable (93% endorsing), helpful (88%), engaging (86%), applicable to their lives (87%), and could help them manage COVID-related challenges (88%). Participants reported pre- to post-program improvements in secondary control (i.e., the belief that one can control their reactions to objective events; dav=0.36, dz=0.50, p&lt;0.001) and in the perceived negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their quality of life (dav=0.22, dz=0.25, p&lt;0.001). On average, differences in their perceived ability to handle lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic were positive, but small and at the level of a nonsignificant trend (dav=0.13, dz=0.14, p=0.066). Our results highlight the acceptability and utility of an online intervention for supporting individuals through the COVID-19 crisis.


Author(s):  
Daniel W. Klyce ◽  
James C. Jackson

Survivors of critical illness frequently have significant and persistent mental health problems, which may develop or worsen following intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Chief among these problems is depression, which occurs in approximately a third of all individuals after critical illness and is associated with a wide array of untoward outcomes. Depression is manifest in a diversity of ways and risk factors may contribute to significant depressive symptoms after critical. Questions persist about whether treatment of depression after critical illness is most effective using conventional approaches or whether the depressive symptoms observed in ICU survivors may be clinically distinct and may optimally respond to carefully tailored innovative approaches. One promising strategy for managing the mental health needs of patients after critical illness involves ICU recovery clinics, which target the unique constellation of cognitive, psychiatric, and functional challenges common to survivors of critical illness.


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