An online educational tool to promote psychological well-being, optimism, and coping self-efficacy among people living with an ileostomy : a pilot study

Abstract

We assessed an online educational tool designed for people living with an ileostomy. Thirty-nine participants took part in a 10-week online educational tool, which included elements such as happiness profiling, understanding stress and coping, utilising social support, mindfulness skills, and emotional intelligence training. Participants completed questionnaires to assess the effects of the online educational tool on well-being, optimism, and coping self-efficacy at Time 1 (baseline), Time 2 (after the intervention), and Time 3 (three months after completing the online educational tool). Psychological well-being, optimism, use of problem-focused coping self-efficacy, and stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts coping self-efficacy were significantly higher, with large effect sizes, at both Time 2 and Time 3, than Time 1. The online educational tool appears to be a promising time and cost effective method of promoting positive outcomes, although additional testing is required before it could be used in conjunction with existing healthcare treatment.