ERIC Number: EJ1438302
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
Available Date: N/A
An Online Peer Support Program to Improve Mental Health among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Simon Grégoire; Frédérique Beaulieu; Lise Lachance; Thérèse Bouffard; Carole Vezeau; Michel Perreault
Journal of American College Health, v72 n7 p2001-2013 2024
Despite recent calls for more peer support initiatives aimed at promoting mental health in postsecondary institutions, those initiatives remain scarce. In this study, a multisite randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the effect of an online peer support intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy using mental health and school indicators. Undergraduate students were recruited in three Canadian universities and randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 54) or a wait-list control group (n = 53). Compared to control participants, those who took part in the program self-reported reduced psychological inflexibility, stress, anxiety and depression, and increased psychological flexibility and well-being. The intervention had no effect on academic satisfaction and engagement. These results were found both in completer and intent-to-treat samples. The findings provide evidence that peer support may be a beneficial adjunct to mental health interventions offered to college and university students.
Descriptors: Peer Influence, Mental Health, Psychological Patterns, Stress Variables, Anxiety, Depression (Psychology), Well Being, Stress Management, Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Student Satisfaction, Learner Engagement, Foreign Countries, Peer Relationship, Undergraduate Students
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Montreal)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A