PERMA-Based Mobile Psychological Intervention With and Without Telephone Support for University Students

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07466004

University of Santiago de Compostela177 enrolled

Overview

University students face increasing academic and psychosocial demands that place them at risk of reduced psychological well-being. Positive psychology interventions have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health; however, few are grounded explicitly in Seligman's PERMA model and adherence to digital interventions remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief PERMA-based psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone application, with and without supplementary telephone multiconference support, compared to a waiting list control group. The intervention consists of five weekly modules targeting Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

177

Conditions

Psychological Well Being Mental Health Promotion

Interventions

App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconferenceBEHAVIORAL

The PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi,1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goalsetting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006). Additionally, the multiconference component will consist of weekly 30-minute telephone-based multiconference sessions. During these sessions, positive or corrective feedback will be delivered in accordance with Miltenberger's guidelines (Miltenberger, 2012) after reviewing the completed homework.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Being an actively enrolled university student at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) * Having access to a smartphone with an internet connection. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe cognitive impairment, dissociative disorders, or active substance dependence * Having started psychological or psychopharmacological treatment within the two months prior to the study or participating in another mental health-related study * Having insufficient proficiency in Spanish, or presenting sensory, cognitive, or physical impairments that would prevent engagement with the intervention * Planning to move out of Galicia within the next 12 months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline emotional well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up

One of the primary outcomes of the study will be emotional well-being. This construct will be evaluated using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS; Tennant et al., 2007).

Time frame: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up

Change from baseline well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up

One of the primary outcomes of this study will be well-being (which comprises three elements, emotional, psychological and social well-being)l. This constructs will be evaluated using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002).

Time frame: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up.