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Exploring the influence of testimonial source on attitudes towards e-mental health interventions among university students: Four-group randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Electronic mental health services (eMHSs) offer additional options for the dissemination of psychological interventions for university students. Still, many university students are reluctant to use eMHSs. Narrative messages may help increase the awareness and acceptance of quality-approved programs. However, little is known about the usefulness of narrative messages to improve attitudes towards eMHSs. In this experiment, we thus aimed to explore in how far different ways of targeting information to students affect their attitudes towards eMHSs for stress prevention and therapy, and to identify potential determinants of attitude change. N = 451 students (Mean = 32.6 years, SD = 10.2, 75% female, 7% with eMHS experience) were randomly assigned to one of four study arms involving information designed to induce different levels of perceived similarity. While the active control condition only received general information (arm 1, "information only", n = 116), the other experimental arms were additionally exposed to testimonials on specific eMHSs either addressing an unspecified audience (arm 2, n = 112), employees (arm 3, n = 115) or working university students (arm 4, n = 108). Two-way ANOVA revealed no impact of information on the alteration of attitudes towards eMHSs for stress coping (d = 0.20). Only a small effect of target-group specific testimonials on attitudes towards online therapies was identified at post-intervention (d = 0.29). Regression analyses demonstrated significant influences of source credibility and perceived similarity on attitudes for preventative eMHSs (ps<0.01), as well as a partial mediation effect of perceived similarity in favor of testimonials targeted to students (95% CI [0.22, 0.50]). Overall, this study indicated no meaningful impact of information on attitudes and limited evidence for benefits of tailored narrative messages. Since attitudes were already positive at baseline, further research with a representative student sample mimicking real-world decision scenarios is needed to gain an in-depth understanding of acceptance-facilitating message features that may contribute to promote the adoption of evidence-based eMHSs.

SUBMITTER: Apolinario-Hagen J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8153476 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Pakistan has one of the highest reported incidence of vitamin D deficiency in studies conducted worldwide. However, there has been very limited exploration of vitamin D related knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthy youth in Pakistan. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among youth (aged > 16 years) from two engineering universities in Pakistan. Participants were asked questions on their concern about vitamin D levels, testing, and supplementation practices. Knowledge was examined using questions about food sources, health benefits and factors affecting vitamin D production within the human body. Of the 900 eligible students invited to participate, 505 (56%) completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. RESULTS:Only 9% participants were able to identify the correct food sources of vitamin D, 33% were aware of the bone health benefits (bone health and calcium absorption) of vitamin D and 36% identified sunlight exposure as a factor influencing vitamin D production. Knowledge about food sources and health benefits of vitamin D was not associated with gender and individuals concern about their levels. Those tested and taking supplements were more likely to identify bone related health benefits and factors affecting vitamin D production. Forty percent male and 52% female students expressed concern that their vitamin D levels were too low. However, 72% participants reported that they had never been tested for vitamin D levels. Use of supplements was significantly higher among female students (F = 52% vs M = 37%; P = 0.003). Those who had been tested for vitamin D deficiency were more likely to take supplements. CONCLUSION:Despite being identified as a high-risk population, knowledge about vitamin D was limited among university students. Interventions are needed to increase awareness about the importance of vitamin D for health, including the need for exposure to sunlight and adequate dietary intake of vitamin D. Our study provides much needed baseline evidence for making health-policy recommendations for this vulnerable population group.

Project description:BackgroundMedical students show a relatively high prevalence for common mental disorders. Only few of those in need for treatment seek professional help. Therefore, easily accessible interventions are required. While several evidence-based internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) have been proposed, little is known about medical students' attitudes towards using them.ObjectiveWe aimed to explore the views of medical students on IMIs as well as facilitators and barriers to use them and gain first insights into their preferences for tailored IMIs.MethodsWe conducted four focus groups with 26 medical students enrolled at a German medical school in March 2020. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed following established approaches for qualitative content analysis.ResultsMedical students valued IMIs for their low-threshold and flexible access, their potential to bridge waiting times and as a first step towards face-to-face-therapy. However, medical students preferred face-to-face interventions in case of severe mental health problems. The main disadvantages named by students included difficulties to find or decide on suitable IMIs based on clear quality criteria, fear of a misdiagnosis and lack of personalisation and human interaction. Some students also questioned the effectiveness of IMIs. Easy handling, flexible use, data safety and easily understandable terms of use were believed to facilitate the uptake of IMIs, whereas technical problems, frequent notifications, required internet access, need to register, lack of anonymity, high time expenditure and costs were reported to hinder their use. Most students did not prefer IMIs tailored to medical students but rather wanted to use IMIs suitable for students of all disciplines.ConclusionOur results suggest overall positive views regarding IMIs for mental health promotion but concerns regarding their use for severe mental disorders and acute crises. Our findings indicate that IMIs may represent promising tools for stress prevention and early interventions for medical students. Students explicitly stated to prefer quality-approved IMIs recommended and provided by their university.

Project description:BackgroundLittle is known about the psychological impact of COVID-19 on university students during the disease outbreak in China, but this information is important for the development of services to support these students who are typically in their early 20s. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine university students' knowledge, attitudes, and mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.MethodsOn February 10, 2020 and during the second week of national lockdown, 511 students from a university in China were assessed using the COVID-19 General Information Questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) questionnaire. To understand the mental health status of the current sample, we compared it with the normal population.ResultsFour hundred and seventy-two valid questionnaires were collected. In total, 11% of respondents reported confirmed COVID-19 cases in their hometowns or communities. In view of students' knowledge about COVID-19, 56% had sufficient knowledge of typical symptoms of COVID-19, and 41% knew a lot about prevention methods for the future pandemic. In terms of the risk perceptions, 57% had experienced considerable fear of this disease, and 19% perceived a high risk of becoming infected. In terms of attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic, 63% felt positive about its development (i.e., it was generally under control), and 92% declared that they were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The scores for somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and the general severity index were significantly increased compared with the norm (p < 0.001). However, no differences in the scores for depression, hostility and psychoticism were noted (p > 0.05).ConclusionUniversity students possessed insufficient COVID-19 knowledge and high-risk perceptions. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of university students. Social support and targeted interventions tailored to university students should be provided during such an outbreak, and university administration should strengthen the cultivation of students' mental toughness using standard teaching processes.

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Exploring the influence of testimonial source on attitudes towards e-mental health interventions among university students: Four-group randomized controlled trial.

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