This is a study on internet-based self-help for stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. College and university students who score in the moderate or higher range on a stress measure during the COVID-19 pandemic will be invited to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive access to an internet-based self-help program for stress resilience and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic or care as usual. Stress and psychosocial symptoms will be assessed via questionnaire at baseline (pre-randomization), one month post-randomization, and three months post-randomization.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
585
Access to two online, self-guided programs available on the SilverCloud Health website.
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
Change in stress
Stress assessed using the Stress subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-Short Form (7 of 21 items; self-report; possible range = 0-42)
Time frame: Measured at baseline, one month, and three months. The primary outcome is change in scale scores from baseline to one month. Change from baseline to three months will also be examined as a secondary outcome.
Change in anxiety
Anxiety assessed using the Anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-Short Form (7 of 21 items; self-report; possible range = 0-42)
Time frame: Measured at baseline, one month, and three months. Outcomes include change in scale score from baseline to one month and change in scale score from baseline to three months.
Change in depression
Depression assessed using the Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-Short Form (7 of 21 items; self-report; possible range = 0-42)
Time frame: Measured at baseline, one month, and three months. Outcomes include change in scale score from baseline to one month and change in scale score from baseline to three months.
Change in perceived stress
Perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (10 items, self-report; possible range = 0-40)
Time frame: Measured at baseline, one month, and three months. Outcomes include change in scale score from baseline to one month and change in scale score from baseline to three months.
Change in coronavirus-related stress
Coronavirus-related stress assessed using the COVID Stress Scales (6-item self-report subscales assessing the following forms of coronavirus-related stress: danger, socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, contamination fears, traumatic stress, compulsive checking; subscale scores range from 0 to 24)
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Time frame: Measured at baseline, one month, and three months. Outcomes include change in subscale scores from baseline to one month and change in subscale scores from baseline to three months.