Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a New Online Self-Help Intervention for Depression among Korean College Students' Families.

Suk-Sun Kim,Minji Gil

doi:10.3390/ijerph19042142

Abstract

Applying innovative online approaches to interventions for preventing depression is necessary. Since depressive emotions are typically shared within the family, the development of interventions involving family members is critical. This study thus aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a new online self-help intervention, MindGuide, among Korean college students’ families. We developed MindGuide, which integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness and an emotional regulation approach. A one-group pretest–posttest design was used to measure the changes in the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Attitude Toward Suicide scale, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale before and after the intervention. Of the 34 families that began the program, completion rates were 88.2%, 85.3%, and 91.2% for fathers, mothers, and children, respectively. The findings indicated that the MindGuide program is feasible and acceptable for families of Korean college students. The results support the potential effect of MindGuide on reducing depression, improving positive attitudes toward suicide prevention, and enhancing family relationships in participants at risk of depression. However, future research is needed to thoroughly explore and evaluate the efficacy of the MindGuide program.

Highlights

The findings indicated that the MindGuide program is feasible and acceptable for families of Korean college students
Attitude toward suicide prevention was measured using the Attitudes Towards Suicide (ATTS) scale [36]. We found this scale by searching the literature to identify existing measures of attitudes towards suicide prevention
The study demonstrates that MindGuide, a new online self-help integrative emotional behavior (IEB) intervention, is feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing depression and improving positive attitudes toward suicide prevention for Korean college students’ families

Summary

Introduction

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses that increases the mental health-related disease burden globally and the risk of suicide [1,2]. In Korea, the prevalence rate of depression was 36.8% in 2020, the highest rate among Organization for Economic. An increasing trend of depression has been observed among people in their 20s and middle adults in Korea [4]. College students and middle-aged adults in Korea have not received sufficient attention despite their vulnerability to depression and suicide. Preventing or delaying the onset of depression is an important way to reduce its burden [6]. Preventive interventions for depression are vast and extensive, it is vital that they are tailored for particular target groups (e.g., college students and middle-aged adults) [6]

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion