Randomised control trial of a low-intensity cognitive-behaviour therapy intervention to improve mental health in university students
Date
2016
Authors
Stallman, H.M.
Kavanagh, D.J.
Arklay, A.R.
Bennett Levy, J.
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Journal article
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Australian Psychologist, 2016; 51(2):145-153
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Abstract
Objective: University students have high rates of clinical and sub-clinical 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 paper 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 due to 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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Copyright 2016 Wiley
Access Condition Notes: Postprint available after 1 January 2018