Mobile Self-Management Program for Stress Reduction in Young Adults

NCT07174544 | Completed Results

• 2 other identifiers: MC23FNSI0059NRF-2022R1A2C1011568
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 211
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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

Conditions

Stress (Psychology)

Keywords

Stress; Resilience; Self-Management; Positive Psychology; Mobile Applications; Young Adult

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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.

  Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• Stress at Baseline

  Baseline

• Stress at Week 2

  Week 2

• Stress at Week 4

  Week 4

• Depression (PHQ-9) at Baseline

  Baseline

• Depression (PHQ-9) at Week 2

  Week 2

Study Arms (2)

Intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive a mobile self-management intervention that integrates Positive Psychology and Behavioral Activation. The program includes 4 weeks of guided sessions followed by 4 weeks of self-directed use.

Behavioral: Mobile Self-Management Program integrated with Positive Psychology and Behavioral Activation

Wait-list Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants do not receive the intervention during the first 8 weeks but are offered access to the program after the study period.

Interventions

Mobile Self-Management Program integrated with Positive Psychology and Behavioral Activation BEHAVIORAL

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.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 34 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 19-34 years at the time of participation
• Proficiency in using digital devices
• Use of an Android-based smartphone or tablet
• Score of ≥14 on the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10)
• Provision of informed consent for random assignment

You may not qualify if:

• Score \<14 on the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10)
• Declines random assignment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Catholic University of Korea: lead

Study Sites (1)

College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea

Seoul, Seoul, 06591, South Korea

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Psychology, Positive

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Limitations and Caveats

A key limitation of this study was participant attrition during the 8-week intervention period, as some participants did not complete all weekly or follow-up surveys. This loss to follow-up may have limited the ability to fully determine the intervention's effect over time and reduced the precision of longitudinal comparisons between groups.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Hyunjoo Na, Associate professor, PI
• Organization: College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea

hjna@catholic.ac.kr

+82-2-3147-8442

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 11, 2025
• First Posted: September 16, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2024
• Study Completion: August 30, 2025
• Last Updated: January 8, 2026
• Results First Posted: January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

KR (1)