Mood Lifters for graduate students: Preventing the escalation of anxiety

Objective: Previous research has shown that Mood Lifters for Graduate Students (ML-GS) is efficacious in the treatment of anxiety symptoms. The current study assesses the efficacy of ML-GS in preventing escalation of anxiety among graduate students during a clinical trial. Participants: 100 participants from the clinical trial were included in analysis (62 ML-GS; 38 waitlist) because they started with nonclinical symptoms of anxiety. The average age was 25.88 (SD = 2.67); the sample was 89% women, 61% White, and 65% heterosexual. Methods: ML-GS focuses on psychoeducation and skills-building. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) assessed anxiety severity at the start and end of the 12-week program. Results: ML-GS participants starting with low levels of anxiety maintained low scores; however, waitlist participants experienced significant increases in anxiety. Conclusions: ML-GS could be used as both a treatment and preventative measure for anxiety in graduate students.