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Promoting University Students’ Mental Health through an Online Multicomponent Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Theurel

    (Instance Régionale D’éducation et de Promotion de la Santé, 21000 Dijon, France
    LEAD-CNRS (UMR 5022), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France)

  • Arnaud Witt

    (LEAD-CNRS (UMR 5022), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France)

  • Rebecca Shankland

    (Laboratory DIPHE, Department of Psychology, Education and Vulnerabilities, Université Lumière Lyon 2, 69676 Bron, France)

Abstract

The mental health of university students is a serious public health issue. The alarming trend of high levels of untreated psychological distress observed during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for prevention programs. Digital tools are a promising means of delivering such programs. Web-based programs are acceptable and effective at improving mental health problems and general mental well-being. However, the usefulness of such digital prevention approaches to address the multiple issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be tested. The current study assessed the effectiveness of an 8-week online intervention, integrating a variety of evidence-based strategies for improving French university students’ mental health. Students were assigned to: (1) the online self-help program ETUCARE ( n = 53), or (2) the control condition ( n = 50). All the participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires that assessed mental health problems and psychological well-being. The findings revealed that, compared to the control group, participation in the online program was associated with higher levels of psychological well-being post-test and fewer clinical symptoms of psychological distress, anxiety, and alcohol consumption. These preliminary findings suggest that the ETUCARE program is a promising multicomponent intervention to buffer the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in French university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Theurel & Arnaud Witt & Rebecca Shankland, 2022. "Promoting University Students’ Mental Health through an Online Multicomponent Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:10442-:d:894458
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elodie Charbonnier & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Aurelie Goncalves, 2021. "Psychological Vulnerability of French University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Panagiotis Zis & Artemios Artemiadis & Panagiotis Bargiotas & Antonios Nteveros & Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou, 2021. "Medical Studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Digital Learning on Medical Students’ Burnout and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-8, January.
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