The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a mobile self-management program that combines Positive Psychology (PP) and Behavioral Activation (BA) helps reduce stress in young adults in South Korea. It will also examine how the program affects depression, anxiety, and resilience. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the program lower stress levels in young adults with high stress? Does the program improve other aspects of mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and resilience? Researchers will compare the mobile program to a wait-list control group to see if the program works to improve stress management. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the program group or a wait-list control group Use the mobile program for 4 weeks with guided activities, followed by 4 weeks of self-directed use Complete surveys at the start, week 2, week 4, and week 8 about their stress, depression, anxiety, and resilience
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
211
The mobile self-management program consisted of a 4-week guided intervention phase followed by a 4-week self-directed period to encourage continued use. The guided phase was organized around weekly objectives: (1) experiencing positive affect, (2) identifying personal strengths, (3) applying strengths in daily life, and (4) planning a positive future. Program activities included emotional check-ins, gratitude journaling, mindfulness practice, positive behavioral tasks, and goal setting. During the self-directed phase (Weeks 5-8), participants selected from 10 recommended activities tailored to their strengths, promoting sustained engagement and self-management. The program integrated Positive Psychology and Behavioral Activation strategies to reduce stress, enhance resilience, and foster positive behavioral change.
College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Stress at Week 8
Stress was measured using the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale - 10 items (PSS-10). The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. Although the scale does not provide a standardized cut-off, prior studies have used a score of 14 or higher to define moderate-to-high levels of stress, and this threshold was applied in the present study.
Time frame: Week 8
Stress at Baseline
Stress was measured using the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale - 10 items (PSS-10). The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. Although the scale does not provide a standardized cut-off, prior studies have used a score of 14 or higher to define moderate-to-high levels of stress, and this threshold was applied in the present study.
Time frame: Baseline
Stress at Week 2
Stress was measured using the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale - 10 items (PSS-10). The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. Although the scale does not provide a standardized cut-off, prior studies have used a score of 14 or higher to define moderate-to-high levels of stress, and this threshold was applied in the present study.
Time frame: Week 2
Stress at Week 4
Stress was measured using the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale - 10 items (PSS-10). The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. Although the scale does not provide a standardized cut-off, prior studies have used a score of 14 or higher to define moderate-to-high levels of stress, and this threshold was applied in the present study.
Time frame: Week 4
Depression (PHQ-9) at Baseline
Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 consists of nine items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Baseline
Depression (PHQ-9) at Week 2
Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 consists of nine items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Week 2
Depression (PHQ-9) at Week 4
Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 consists of nine items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Week 4
Depression (PHQ-9) at Week 8
Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 consists of nine items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Week 8
Anxiety (GAD-7) at Baseline
Anxiety was measured using the Korean version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items (GAD-7). The GAD-7 consists of seven items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline
Anxiety (GAD-7) at Week 2
Anxiety was measured using the Korean version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items (GAD-7). The GAD-7 consists of seven items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Week 2
Anxiety (GAD-7) at Week 4
Anxiety was measured using the Korean version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items (GAD-7). The GAD-7 consists of seven items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Week 4
Anxiety (GAD-7) at Week 8
Anxiety was measured using the Korean version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items (GAD-7). The GAD-7 consists of seven items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), assessing symptom frequency over the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Week 8
Resilience ( BRS) at Baseline
Resilience was assessed using the Korean version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The BRS consists of six items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater resilience.
Time frame: Baseline
Resilience (BRS) at Week 2
Resilience was assessed using the Korean version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The BRS consists of six items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater resilience.
Time frame: Week 2
Resilience (BRS) at Week 4
Resilience was assessed using the Korean version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The BRS consists of six items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater resilience.
Time frame: Week 4
Resilience (BRS) at Week 8
Resilience was assessed using the Korean version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The BRS consists of six items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater resilience.
Time frame: Week 8
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