Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2016
Recommended Citation
Levin, Michael E.; Hayes, Steven C.; Pistorello, Jacqueline; and Seeley, John R., "Web-based Self-help for Preventing Mental Health Problems in Universities: Comparing Acceptance and Commitment Training to Mental Health Education" (2016). Psychology Faculty Publications. Paper 1092.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/psych_facpub/1092
Comments
Objective: This study sought to test the feasibility of a web-based Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) prototype prevention program called ACT on College Life (ACT-CL). Method: A sample of 234 university students was randomized to either the ACT-CL website or a mental health education (MHE) website. Results: Findings indicated lower user engagement and satisfaction ratings with the ACT-CL prototype relative to MHE. There were no significant differences between conditions on outcome measures at post or follow up. However, statistical trends suggested the MHE condition actually led to greater remission of severe symptoms than the ACT-CL condition among those with severe symptoms at baseline. There were no differences between conditions on ACT process of change measures. Changes in psychological flexibility were predictive of changes in mental health across conditions, but relations dissipated over time. Furthermore, greater engagement in some components of ACT-CL predicted improvements in psychological flexibility, though not on mental health outcomes. Conclusions: ACT-CL had largely equivalent effects relative to an education website on mental health outcomes and ACT process measures, although there was lower program engagement with ACT-CL. Findings are discussed in the context of feasibility issues and lessons learned for program revisions.