The Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology App in the General Population
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The corona crisis has a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of the Dutch population. Positive psychology exercises (PPOs) can potentially improve mental well-being and reduce mild and moderate psychological complaints. Previous research has shown moderate to large effects of PPOs on well-being in people with reduced wellbeing and psychological symptoms at baseline. The University of Twente developed an app (Training in Positivity; TiP) based on an effective intervention. The goal of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of TiP in the general population in people experiencing reduced mental wellbeing as a result of the corona crisis. People using the app will be compared to a waiting list control group.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Positive psychology app
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Other: Training in positivity
The University of Twente developed an evidence-based positive psychology app that is aimed at increasing mental well-being and resilience (Training in positivity; TiP). TiP consists of a 3-week structured intervention, in which participants do two exercises every week for 6 days, aimed at increasing resilience and mental well-being. An exercise takes an average of 15 minutes per day.
|
| Other: Waiting list
|
Other: Training in positivity
The University of Twente developed an evidence-based positive psychology app that is aimed at increasing mental well-being and resilience (Training in positivity; TiP). TiP consists of a 3-week structured intervention, in which participants do two exercises every week for 6 days, aimed at increasing resilience and mental well-being. An exercise takes an average of 15 minutes per day.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Mental well-being [Change from baseline mental well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2).]
Mental well-being measured with the 14-item Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate more mental well-being.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Ability to adapt [Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 10-item Generic sense of ability to adapt scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 50. Higher scores indicate more ability to adapt.
- General self-efficacy [Change from baseline general self-efficacy at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 10-item General Self-Efficacy Scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 40. Higher scores indicate more general self-efficacy.
- Savoring [Change from baseline savoring at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 24-item Savoring Beliefs inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate more savoring.
- Self-compassion [Change from baseline self-compassion at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 8-item self-reassurance subscale of the Forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate more self-compassion.
- Positive reframing [Change from baseline positive reframing at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with 2 items of the positive reframing subscale of the Coping Orientations and Problems Experienced inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate more positive reframing.
- Anxiety symptoms [Change from baseline anxiety symptoms at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more anxiety symptoms.
- Depression symptoms [Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate more depression symptoms.
- Spiritual well-being [Change from baseline spiritual well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)]
Measured with the 7-item Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 6. Higher scores indicate more spiritual well-being.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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The participant is at least 18 years old
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The participant has an e-mail address and is in possession of a smartphone or tablet with access to the internet.
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The participant is willing to do a positive psychology exercise 6 days a week for 3 weeks
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The participant has sufficient command of the Dutch language to be able to complete questionnaires and exercises.
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The participant gives consent to participate in the study using the online informed consent procedure.
Exclusion Criteria:
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The presence of severe anxiety symptoms: a score of 15 or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 items (GAD-7)
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The presence of severe depressive symptoms: a score of 20 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Twente | Enschede | Overijssel | Netherlands | 7522NB |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Twente
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 220106