Improving self-efficacy to prevent mental disorders in young adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 acute suicidality; Individuals who report acute suicidality will be withdrawn from the study and referred to treatment.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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.