Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders in University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Trial of Online and Blended Formats

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research Pub Date : 2025-06-14 DOI:10.1002/mpr.70025

J. Socias-Soler, C. Francisco, L. Martínez-García, O. Peris-Baquero, J. Osma

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Psychological problems frequently emerge between ages 15 and 24, often coinciding with the university period. In Spain, anxiety and depressive disorders are prevalent among university students, yet only a small fraction receive treatment. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness, acceptability, and implementation of UP in online group format versus a blended format among university students with EDs at the University of Córdoba.

Method

Participants (n = 70) will be randomly assigned to either condition. The study includes pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up assessments at one and 3 months. Primary outcomes are improvements in anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Secondary outcomes include program adherence and acceptability.

Results

Data will be analyzed using SPSS, employing tests for normality, descriptive statistics, t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and linear mixed models to evaluate differences and changes over time. Effect sizes will be calculated, and implementation outcomes will be assessed through descriptive analysis. Improvements are expected to be obtained in the assessed outcome variables in all evaluation periods in both intervention conditions and that are maintained over time. No statistically significant differences are expected to be obtained between the two conditions. Participants are expected to report high acceptability and satisfaction scores regarding the intervention, its components, and the intervention format in both conditions. UP-App good usability scores, as well as high acceptability and intention to use in the future are expected to be reported by participants in the UP blended format condition.

Conclusions

This study aims to demonstrate the utility and efficiency of UP in treating EDs in university settings. If effective, these formats could enhance access to mental health services, improve student well-being and support academic success. The findings could inform the development of cost-effective, scalable interventions for university mental health services.

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大学生情绪障碍统一方案：在线和混合格式随机试验方案

心理问题经常出现在15到24岁之间，通常与大学时期相吻合。在西班牙，焦虑和抑郁症在大学生中很普遍，但只有一小部分接受了治疗。这项随机对照试验旨在比较在线小组形式与混合形式的UP在Córdoba大学ed学生中的有效性、可接受性和实施情况。方法参与者（n = 70）将被随机分配到两种情况。该研究包括干预前、干预后以及1个月和3个月的随访评估。主要结果是焦虑、抑郁、情绪调节和痛苦耐受性的改善。次要结果包括项目的依从性和可接受性。数据将使用SPSS进行分析，采用正态性检验、描述性统计、t检验、重复测量方差分析和线性混合模型来评估差异和随时间的变化。将计算效应量，并通过描述性分析评估实施结果。在所有评估期间，无论是在干预条件下，还是在一段时间内，评估的结果变量都有望得到改善。预计两种情况之间没有统计学上的显著差异。在两种情况下，参与者都应报告对干预、其组成部分和干预形式的高可接受性和满意度得分。在UP混合格式条件下，期望参与者报告UP- app的良好可用性分数，以及高可接受性和未来使用意愿。结论本研究旨在证明UP在治疗大学急诊科中的效用和效率。如果有效，这些形式可以增加获得心理健康服务的机会，改善学生的福祉并支持学业成功。研究结果可以为开发具有成本效益的、可扩展的大学心理健康服务干预措施提供信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

6.50%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (MPR) publishes high-standard original research of a technical, methodological, experimental and clinical nature, contributing to the theory, methodology, practice and evaluation of mental and behavioural disorders. The journal targets in particular detailed methodological and design papers from major national and international multicentre studies. There is a close working relationship with the US National Institute of Mental Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Diagnostic Instruments Committees, as well as several other European and international organisations. MPR aims to publish rapidly articles of highest methodological quality in such areas as epidemiology, biostatistics, generics, psychopharmacology, psychology and the neurosciences. Articles informing about innovative and critical methodological, statistical and clinical issues, including nosology, can be submitted as regular papers and brief reports. Reviews are only occasionally accepted. MPR seeks to monitor, discuss, influence and improve the standards of mental health and behavioral neuroscience research by providing a platform for rapid publication of outstanding contributions. As a quarterly journal MPR is a major source of information and ideas and is an important medium for students, clinicians and researchers in psychiatry, clinical psychology, epidemiology and the allied disciplines in the mental health field.