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Published on: July 10, 2017
Effects of a digital self-efficacy training in stressed university students: A randomized controlled trial
Judith Rohde1,2, Marta A Marciniak1,2, Mirka Henninger2
1Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Objective:
Self-efficacy is associated with positive mental health outcomes. We developed and tested a digital self-efficacy training for daily recall of autobiographical self-efficacy memories (e.g., memories of successfully overcoming a personal challenge).
Method:
In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of the week-long digital self-efficacy training on key mental health outcomes, including anxiety, stress, and hopelessness, and on self-efficacy in 93 university students (mean age 23.3 years, SD: 3.49) with elevated self-reported stress levels. Participants completed either the self-efficacy training combined with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) (training group) or EMA only (control group).
Results:
We found significantly reduced hopelessness and trait anxiety in the training group compared to the control group at post-assessment (one day post intervention). Effects on ratings of self-efficacy at post-assessment were also significant when controlling for baseline self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
This stand-alone digital self-efficacy training was significantly associated with a number of positive effects on outcomes compared to a control condition, including reduced hopelessness, trait anxiety, and increased self-efficacy. Future work is needed to replicate and investigate the long-term effects of the training and explore its implementation in clinical populations.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05617248.
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