Unified protocol for emotional disorders in university students: protocol for a randomized trial of online and blended formats
Socias-Soler, J. ; Francisco, C. ; Martínez-García, L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Peris-Baquero, O. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Osma, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza)
Resumen: 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.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1002/mpr.70025
Año: 2025
Publicado en: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH 34, 2 (2025), e70025 [10 pp.]
ISSN: 1049-8931
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S31-23R
Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)
Área (Departamento): Área Person.Eval.Trat.Psicoló. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)
You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-10-17-14:35:54)
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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.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1002/mpr.70025
Año: 2025
Publicado en: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH 34, 2 (2025), e70025 [10 pp.]
ISSN: 1049-8931
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S31-23R
Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)
Área (Departamento): Área Person.Eval.Trat.Psicoló. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)
You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material. Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-10-17-14:35:54)
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Articles > Artículos por área > Personalidad,Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológicos
Record created 2025-06-25, last modified 2025-10-17