A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Youth Compass -the effectiveness of an online acceptance and commitment therapy program to promote dolescent mental health : a randomized controlled trial (2021)
Lappalainen, R., Lappalainen, P., Puolakanaho, A., Hirvonen, R., Eklund, K., Ahonen, T., Muotka, J., & Kiuru, N. (2021). The Youth Compass -the effectiveness of an online acceptance and commitment therapy program to promote dolescent mental health : a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.01.007
JYU authors or editors
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Publication details
All authors or editors: Lappalainen, R.; Lappalainen, P.; Puolakanaho, A.; Hirvonen, R.; Eklund, K.; Ahonen, T.; Muotka, J.; Kiuru, N.
Journal or series: Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
ISSN: 2212-1447
eISSN: 2212-1455
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 20
Pages range: 1-12
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.01.007
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Abstract
Mental health problems affect 10-20% of adolescents worldwide. Prevention and early interventions for promoting adolescent mental health are therefore warranted. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effects of a 5-week web-intervention (Youth COMPASS) based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on adolescents’ depressive symptoms, life satisfaction and psychological flexibility.
Methods
The sample comprised 243 adolescents at the age of 15-16 years (51%females) from 15 lower secondary schools. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups of which two groups received an ACT-based online-intervention including support via WhatsApp. The two ACT interventions + WhatsApp contact differed from each other regarding the amount of personal support (iACT + two face-to-face sessions vs iACT with no face-to-face sessions). These two iACT interventions were compared to no intervention (control). Adolescents’ psychological wellbeing was measured pre and post intervention using the Depression Scale (DEPS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (ATQ-Y).
Results
Adolescents showing more avoidance of unpleasant thoughts and feelings, and cognitive fusion reported more depressive symptoms and a lower level of satisfaction with life. This association was stronger among girls than boys. The iACT online-intervention + WhapApp contact with two face-to-face meeting or without them decreased adolescents’ depressive symptoms and increased life satisfaction among those who had completed more than half of the program (d = 0.20). No significant effect was obtained for avoidance (psychological flexibility). The iACT intervention including face-to-face contact showed different effects on girls and boys in regards to depression symptoms and psychological flexibility skills.
Conclusions
Findings showed that the ACT-based web-intervention for adolescents could be a viable early intervention for preventing mental health problems in adolescents and for promoting adolescent wellbeing. Our findings call for further studies investigation whether girls and boys benefit of different type online interventions.
Keywords: acceptance and commitment therapy; intervention (treatment methods); online services; young people; mental health
Free keywords: acceptance and commitment therapy; online intervention; web intervention; adolescent; mental health
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Students’ achievement strategies during the transition from primary school to lower
secondary school: Associations with motivation, temperament, executive function, and
academic buoyancy- Hirvonen, Riikka
- Research Council of Finland
- Competitive funding to strengthen universities’ research profiles. Profiling actions at the JYU, round 1
- Hämäläinen, Keijo
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1
