Mental health promotion among university students using a mobile health intervention: longitudinal findings from a randomized controlled trial

• Background: Research shows that positive psychology interventions have a small to medium effect on wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and stress. However, few studies have investigated long-term mental health outcomes.Methods: This paper reports on the 6- and 12-month effects of a mobile phone based positive psychology intervention on wellbeing among university students in Sweden. A 2-arm, single blind (researchers), parallel groups, randomized controlled trial was employed.Results: In total 654 individuals (25 years median age, 78% female) were randomized to the intervention (n=348) or control group (n=306). Primary outcome was positive mental health (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form).  Secondary outcomes were depression and anxiety symptomatology (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). A lasting effect on wellbeing was observed. An immediate positive effect was observed on anxiety and depression outcomes which waned over time.Discussion and conclusions: The findings suggest that mobile phone-based interventions could be an important tool in a wider strategy for mental health promotion. Future research could improve on the effects observed in this study by finding ways to optimise person-activity fit and tailor the intervention content.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

mental health promotion; positive psychology intervention; mobile health intervention; university students; randomized controlled trial

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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