The Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology App in the General Population

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Positive Psychology; App; Depression; Anxiety; Mental Health; Well-being; Adults
• Interventions: Other: Training in positivity

• Registration Number: NCT05292560
• Lead Sponsor: University of Twente

Brief Summary

The corona crisis has a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of the Dutch population. Positive psychology exercises (PPOs) can potentially improve mental well-being and reduce mild and moderate psychological complaints. Previous research has shown moderate to large effects of PPOs on well-being in people with reduced wellbeing and psychological symptoms at baseline. The University of Twente developed an app (Training in Positivity; TiP) based on an effective intervention. The goal of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of TiP in the general population in people experiencing reduced mental wellbeing as a result of the corona crisis. People using the app will be compared to a waiting list control group.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-03-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-03-22
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-23
• Study Start: 2022-04-04
• Primary Completion: 2022-10-01
• Study Completion: 2022-10-01
• Status Verified: 2022-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-11-02
• Last Update Posted: 2022-11-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 250

Inclusion Criteria

1. The participant is at least 18 years old
2. The participant has an e-mail address and is in possession of a smartphone or tablet with access to the internet.
3. The participant is willing to do a positive psychology exercise 6 days a week for 3 weeks
4. The participant has sufficient command of the Dutch language to be able to complete questionnaires and exercises.
5. The participant gives consent to participate in the study using the online informed consent procedure.

Exclusion Criteria

1. The presence of severe anxiety symptoms: a score of 15 or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 items (GAD-7)
2. The presence of severe depressive symptoms: a score of 20 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Positive psychology app	Training in positivity	-
Waiting list	Training in positivity	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mental well-being	Change from baseline mental well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2).	Mental well-being measured with the 14-item Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate more mental well-being.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
General self-efficacy	Change from baseline general self-efficacy at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 10-item General Self-Efficacy Scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 40. Higher scores indicate more general self-efficacy.
Self-compassion	Change from baseline self-compassion at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 8-item self-reassurance subscale of the Forms of self-criticising/attacking \& self-reassuring scale. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate more self-compassion.
Anxiety symptoms	Change from baseline anxiety symptoms at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more anxiety symptoms.
Depression symptoms	Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate more depression symptoms.
Ability to adapt	Change from baseline ability to adapt at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 10-item Generic sense of ability to adapt scale. Scores are calculated as sum scores and can range from 10 to 50. Higher scores indicate more ability to adapt.
Savoring	Change from baseline savoring at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 24-item Savoring Beliefs inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate more savoring.
Positive reframing	Change from baseline positive reframing at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with 2 items of the positive reframing subscale of the Coping Orientations and Problems Experienced inventory. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate more positive reframing.
Spiritual well-being	Change from baseline spiritual well-being at 3 weeks (T1) and change from baseline mental well-being at 3 months (T2)	Measured with the 7-item Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List-Short Form. Scores are calculated as mean scores and can range from 1 to 6. Higher scores indicate more spiritual well-being.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Twente; 🇳🇱 Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands