The Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology App in the General Population

University of Twente250 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

250

Conditions

Mental Health Well-being Depression Anxiety Adults

Interventions

Training in positivityOTHER

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.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. The participant is at least 18 years old 2. The participant has an e-mail address and is in possession of a smartphone or tablet with access to the internet. 3. The participant is willing to do a positive psychology exercise 6 days a week for 3 weeks 4. The participant has sufficient command of the Dutch language to be able to complete questionnaires and exercises. 5. The participant gives consent to participate in the study using the online informed consent procedure. Exclusion Criteria: 1. The presence of severe anxiety symptoms: a score of 15 or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 items (GAD-7) 2. The presence of severe depressive symptoms: a score of 20 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mental well-being

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline mental well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2).

Secondary Outcomes

Ability to adapt

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

General self-efficacy

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline general self-efficacy at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Savoring

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline savoring at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Self-compassion

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline self-compassion at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Positive reframing

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline positive reframing at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Anxiety symptoms

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline anxiety symptoms at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Depression symptoms

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)

Spiritual well-being

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.

Time frame: Change from baseline spiritual well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)