Effects of Web-Based Single-Session Growth Mindset Interventions for Reducing Adolescent Anxiety: Four-Armed
Shimin Zhu1, Yuxi Hu1, Di Qi1
1Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong).
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
|April 18, 2025
Summary
This study found that single-session interventions (SSIs) effectively reduced anxiety in adolescents. Web-based interventions show promise as scalable and accessible mental health solutions for youth.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Clinical psychology
- Digital health interventions
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are prevalent globally, with many adolescents not accessing services.
- There's a critical need for scalable, timely interventions for adolescent mental health.
- This study adapted single-session interventions (SSIs) for adolescent anxiety, focusing on a growth mindset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of four SSIs in reducing adolescent anxiety.
- Interventions included a growth mindset for anxiety (SIGMA), SIGMA with boosters (SIGMA-Booster), a growth mindset for personality (SSIGP), and support therapy (ST).
Main Methods:
- 731 adolescents from 7 secondary schools were randomized into four online intervention groups.
- Interventions lasted approximately 45 minutes.
- Anxiety symptoms and other psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2-week, and 8-week follow-ups using generalized estimating equations.
Main Results:
- All four SSIs demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms across all groups.
- Participants with higher motivation, baseline anxiety, and fixed mindsets showed greater improvements.
- Over 60% of participants found the SSIs feasible and acceptable.
Conclusions:
- Single-session interventions are effective in reducing adolescent anxiety and depression over 8 weeks.
- Brief, web-based interventions offer scalable, destigmatized, and cost-effective mental health support for adolescents.
- Future research should explore intervention effects across varying anxiety symptom levels.
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