StriveWeekly: Self-Guided Online Intervention for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in University Students

NCT04361045 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 17-000761
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 1,631
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was a randomized controlled trial of an original online mental health promotion program. This study aimed to: 1) establish program effectiveness by examining symptom change between conditions and 2) examine predictors of symptom change. The program was previously tested in open trial feasibility study by the same Principal Investigator and has since been rebuilt as informed by feasibility findings and participant qualitative feedback. Participants were randomly assigned to either a waitlist condition or eight weeks of the intervention condition. Baseline, posttest, and follow-up electronic surveys collected self-reported symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Motivational variables were also assessed at baseline and then tested as moderators of intervention effects.

Conditions

Anxiety; Depressive Symptoms; Stress, Psychological

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)

  This 21-item self-report measure assesses symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Individual items are rated 0 (Did not apply to me at all) to 3 (Applied to me very much or most of the time), with total scores ranging 0 - 63. Lower scores at posttest relative to baseline indicate improvement.

  [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)]

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Program Adherence

  [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)]

• Program Satisfaction

  Posttest (~8 weeks)

Other Outcomes (2)

• Subjective Happiness Scale

  [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)]

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9

  [Time Frame: Baseline to Posttest (~8 weeks)]

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this condition were delivered 8 weeks of online intervention modules and then were invited to complete a posttest survey.

Behavioral: StriveWeekly

Waitlist Condition

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this condition received no intervention content nor communications for 8 weeks and then were invited to complete a posttest survey.

Interventions

StriveWeekly BEHAVIORAL

The intervention (app.striveweekly.com) delivered eight modules: introduction module, six skills modules, and wrap-up module. The two program "brand name" versions had identical content, but different aesthetic schemes. Modules were released week-by-week, and participants self-guided through content. To facilitate skills practice, every module was accompanied by: a weekly intro email and reminder emails; an "extras" section for tips/suggestions; and a weekly prize drawing. The "Dashboard" section of the intervention displayed user progress. The "Campus" section of this dashboard provided: campus-specific announcements; referrals to relevant campus wellness resources; and an anonymous livestream of all campus users' activity. Strategies/skills included: Psychoeducation; Self-monitoring; Behavioral activation; Cognitive restructuring; Sleep hygiene; Time management; Interpersonal avoidance exposures; Physical exercise; Mindfulness; Maintenance planning.

Also known as: The Happiness Challenge, ReBoot Camp

Intervention Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• enrolled as a student at UCLA (Fall 2017 - Winter 2018)

You may not qualify if:

• concurrent enrollment in a similar online anxiety and depression treatment study on campus

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Los Angeles: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Hanano M, Rith-Najarian L, Gong-Guy E, Chavira D. Motivational Variables as Moderating Effects of a Web-Based Mental Health Program for University Students: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form Res. 2024 Jul 3;8:e56118. doi: 10.2196/56118.

  PMID: 38959024 DERIVED

• Rith-Najarian LR, Gong-Guy E, Flournoy JC, Chavira DA. Randomized controlled trial of a web-based program for preventing anxiety and depression in university students. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2024 Jan;92(1):1-15. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000843. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

  PMID: 37768633 DERIVED

• Hanano M, Rith-Najarian L, Boyd M, Chavira D. Measuring Adherence Within a Self-Guided Online Intervention for Depression and Anxiety: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health. 2022 Mar 28;9(3):e30754. doi: 10.2196/30754.

  PMID: 35343901 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Stress, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Denise Chavira, PhD

  University of California, Los Angeles

  STUDY CHAIR

• Leslie Leslie, PhD

  Harvard University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Postdoctoral Fellow and Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2020
• First Posted: April 24, 2020
• Study Start: September 14, 2017
• Primary Completion: March 18, 2018
• Study Completion: March 18, 2018
• Last Updated: May 17, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Locations

US (1)