Improving self-efficacy to prevent mental disorders in young adults
Preventing Mental Disorders in Young Adults with Low Self-efficacy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing if a special training program can boost confidence in young adults aged 18-30 to help prevent mental health issues like anxiety and substance use.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 378 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Health and Medical University Potsdam Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Potsdam, Brandenburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT06738953 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to enhance self-efficacy in young adults aged 18-30 who exhibit low self-efficacy scores. The study will randomly assign participants to either the intervention group, which will receive targeted self-efficacy training, or a placebo group that will engage in weekly discussions about psychological experiments. The primary outcomes include measuring increases in general self-efficacy and the prevention of the onset of mental disorders such as anxiety and substance use disorders over the following year. The trial seeks to determine if improvements in self-efficacy can lead to better mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are young adults aged 18-30 with low self-efficacy scores who are proficient in German.
Not a fit: Patients currently experiencing anxiety, affective, or substance use disorders, or those undergoing psychological treatment, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of mental disorders among young adults by enhancing their self-efficacy.
How similar studies have performed: While self-efficacy interventions have shown promise in other health-related contexts, this specific approach targeting the prevention of mental disorders in young adults is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. age 18-30 years and 2. low scores (≤24) on the German version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (i.e., more than one standard deviation (5.4) below the mean score of 29.4 in the German norm sample; The cutoff will be raised to scores below the mean of 29.4 (≤30) if not enough participants with low self-efficacy scores of ≤24 and without 12-month mental disorders are found and this leads to serious problems regarding the recruitment phase and the timeline of the project. 3. ability to participate in the course (German language proficiency, availability during the intervention period) Exclusion Criteria: 1. 12-month anxiety, affective, or substance use disorder (excluding nicotine dependence) 2. current psychological/psychopharmacological intervention or treatment seeking for psychological problems 3. acute suicidality; Individuals who report acute suicidality will be withdrawn from the study and referred to treatment.
Where this trial is running
Potsdam, Brandenburg
- Health and Medical University Potsdam — Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Eva Asselmann, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil.
- Email: eva.asselmann@health-and-medical-university.de
- Phone: +49 331 74 51 13 131
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.