Starting well, staying well: randomised controlled trial of "Whitu - seven ways in seven days," a well-being app for university students.

IF 2.9 4区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of Mental Health Pub Date : 2025-02-21 DOI:10.1080/09638237.2025.2460123

Hiran Thabrew, Anna Lynette Boggis, Phoebe Hunt, David Lim, Alana Cavadino, Anna Sofia Serlachius

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: Digitally native university students face challenges to their well-being and up to a third develop mental health problems. "Whitu: seven ways in seven days" is an app based on positive psychology, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation principles.

Methods: Ninety-first year university students (45 per arm) participated in a randomised controlled trial of Whitu against a university self-help website ("Be Well"). Primary outcomes were changes in well-being on the World Health Organisation 5-item well-being index (WHO-5) and the short Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale (SWEMWBS). Secondary outcomes were changes in depression, anxiety, self-compassion, stress, sleep and self-reported acceptability of the app.

Results: At 4 weeks (primary endpoint), participants in the intervention group experienced significantly higher mental well-being (mean difference: 2.53 (95%CI: 0.53, 4.52); p = 0.013) and significantly lower depression (-4.23 (-8.32, -0.15); p = 0.042), compared to controls. Emotional well-being was greater in the intervention group at 3 months (12.23 (3.93, 20.54; p = 0.004). Other outcomes were similar between groups. User feedback was positive, with 88% saying they would recommend the app to a friend.

Conclusions: Whitu is an acceptable, effective, scalable and multi-modal means of improving some aspects of well-being and mental health among university students.

Trial registration: This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry: ACTRN12622000053729.

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来源期刊

Journal of Mental Health PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

3.00%

发文量

117

期刊介绍： The Journal of Mental Health is an international forum for the latest research in the mental health field. Reaching over 65 countries, the journal reports on the best in evidence-based practice around the world and provides a channel of communication between the many disciplines involved in mental health research and practice. The journal encourages multi-disciplinary research and welcomes contributions that have involved the users of mental health services. The international editorial team are committed to seeking out excellent work from a range of sources and theoretical perspectives. The journal not only reflects current good practice but also aims to influence policy by reporting on innovations that challenge traditional ways of working.