Group Format Research Articles

ФОРМУВАННЯ ДИСТАНЦІЙНО-ОСВІТНЬОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ СТУДЕНТІВ-МУЗИКАНТІВ У ПЕДАГОГІЧНИХ ЗАКЛАДАХ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ

The article considers the problem of distance-educational competence formation of music students in higher education pedagogical institutions. The urgency of this problem for higher education is related to the introduction of electronic educational resources, information and communication technologies and the forming of specialists who can effectively use the information and educational environment, distance learning for their own professional development. It is noted that due to the pandemic, which led to forced self-isolation and limited personal contact, higher education institutions took the necessary measures for social distance, which encouraged students to be engaged in professional activities, study and even plan leisure activities without leaving home. This has become a particularly difficult task for students-musicians, adapting practical and individual lessons to the distance education system, taking into account the sound nature of music and the requirements for participants in the learning process to control, first of all, the quality of instrumental and vocal sound. It is found out that to ensure quality conditions for future professionals to acquire professional competencies for further instrumental performance, vocal-choral, conducting or music-pedagogical activities of a trained teacher with relevant competencies in distance learning, information and communication technologies is required. The article highlights such communication channels as social networks, messengers or programs for video communication, which are primarily used by teachers during the implementation of pedagogical activities remotely. With the help of these communication channels, you can organize the learning process in both individual and group formats. Effective information technologies and programs are highlighted, which provide an opportunity to implement practice-oriented learning of a student-musician in a distance form. Key words: distance learning, distance-educational competence, students- musicians, information and telecommunication technologies, music education.

Delivery of a Group Hypnosis Protocol for Managing Chronic Pain in Outpatient Integrative Medicine

ABSTRACT Although strong evidence exists for using individual hypnosis to treat pain, evidence regarding group applications is limited. This project evaluated changes in multiple outcome measures in persons with chronic pain treated with 8 weeks of group hypnosis. Eighty-five adults with diverse chronic pain etiologies completed an 8-session, structured group hypnosis treatment. Pain intensity, pain interference, and global health were evaluated at baseline, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-months posttreatment. Linear mixed effects models assessed changes in outcomes over time. In a model testing, all three outcome measures simultaneously, participants improved substantially from pre- to posttreatment and maintained improvement across follow-up. Analyses of individual outcomes showed significant pre- to posttreatment reductions in pain intensity and interference, which were maintained for pain intensity and continued to improve for pain interference across follow-up. The findings provide compelling preliminary evidence that a group format is an effective delivery system for teaching individual skills in using hypnosis for chronic pain management. Larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to demonstrate equivalence of outcomes between treatment modes.

A Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Intervention on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease of unknown etiology that mainly affects women of reproductive age. SLE causes a series of physical and psychological symptoms that, due to its chronic course, lead to a diminished quality of life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is accumulating evidence supporting its usefulness in improving the psychological problems associated with SLE although research remains scarce. The aim of this study was to study the efficacy of a 10-hour brief ACT intervention protocol in group format in 15 patients with SLE from Navarra. Nine belonged to the experimental group (n1 = 9) and six to the control group (n2 = 6). Measures related to psychological flexibility processes and quality of life were taken before the intervention (pre), at the end (post), at one month and after three months (follow-up). The participants in the experimental group showed a substantial improvement in the degree of acceptance of pain and in variables focused on quality of life with respect to the control group. The improvements tended to be sustained over time. These results suggest that brief, group-based ACT interventions show promise for intervention in patients with SLE.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders: recommendations of the revised S3 guidelines on obsessive-compulsive disorders

In 2022, the first revised version of the S3 guidelines on obsessive-compulsive disorder will be published under the auspices of the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DGPPN). This article contains asummary of the most important recommendations for therapy in acondensed form. There were no major changes in the central basic therapy recommendations compared with the first version of the guidelines, as the evidence base has not fundamentally changed since then. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response management is the most effective form of therapy for this clinical picture and therefore the therapy of first choice. Regarding pharmacotherapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first-line medications. They are indicated when CBT with exposure is not available or has not been effective, when CBT is rejected by the patient and in the patient's personal preference for medication, or to increase the readiness for CBT with exposure. New recommendations include, e.g., the use of Internet therapy, and recommendations for the use of CBT and exposure, e.g., also in group format, including video conferencing if appropriate as well as in intensive format.

Study protocol: A randomized controlled trial of Raising Our Spirits Together, an entertaining, group-based technology-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, tailored for rural adults and delivery by clergy

This paper presents a methodological description of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the effect of Raising Our Spirits Together (ROST), a technology-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (T-CBT) for depression, tailored for the rural context and for delivery by clergy, compared to an enhanced control condition. Depression is among the most common mental health conditions; yet the majority of adults with depression do not receive needed treatment due to limited access to mental health professionals, treatment-associated costs, distance to care, and stigma. These barriers are particularly salient in rural areas of the United States. T-CBT with human support is an accessible and effective treatment for depression; however, currently available T-CBTs have poor completion rates due to the lack of tailoring and other features to support engagement. ROST is a T-CBT specifically tailored for the rural setting and delivery by clergy, who are preferred, informal providers. ROST also presents core CBT content in a simple, jargon-free manner that supports multiple learning preferences. ROST is delivered virtually in a small group format across 8 weekly sessions via videoconferencing software consistent with other clergy-based programs, such as Bible studies or self-help groups. In this study, adults with depressive symptoms recruited from two rural Michigan counties will be randomized to receive ROST versus an enhanced control condition (N = 84). Depressive symptoms post-treatment and at 3 months follow-up according to the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) will be the primary outcome. Findings will determine whether ROST is effective for improving depression symptoms in underserved, under resourced rural communities.

Long-term cost-effectiveness of group unified protocol in the Spanish public mental health system

The limited material and human resources available in the Spanish public mental health system, combined with the high prevalence of emotional disorders nowadays, makes it necessary to search for and implement other more cost-effective formats. The versatility of the Unified Protocol (UP) for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders allows its application in group format, which could be a cost-effective solution for the system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the UP applied in group format in specialized care units compared to the Treatment as usual (TAU) in the Spanish public mental health system over a 15-month time period. The sample of this study consisted of 188 patients, diagnosed with an emotional disorder, randomized to the UP condition in group format or to the TAU condition in individual format. The findings of this study have shown the same beneficial results for the participants with symptoms of anxiety and depression in both conditions and greater improvements in quality of life in the UP condition. Regarding cost-effectiveness results, at the 15-month follow-up, participants in the UP condition received a greater number of sessions, with a lower total economic cost compared to the TAU condition. Finally, reductions in the number of participants using antidepressants and a reduction in medication burden were found in the UP condition over time. The results of this study show that UP applied in a group format can be a cost-effectiveness solution for the Spanish public mental health system. Trial registration number: NCT03064477 (March 10, 2017).

Mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy for treatment-refractory anxiety disorder: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThis study aimed: (a) to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for patients with a treatment-refractory anxiety disorders compared to Relapse Prevention-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-RP); and (b) to explore candidate mediating variables. MethodsWe conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled trial comparing MBCT with CBT-RP in a group format for 136 outpatients with treatment-refractory DSM-IV defined anxiety disorder, who insufficiently responded to first-line psychological treatment. ResultsAt post-treatment, the MBCT group showed a significantly larger decrease in self-reported anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), avoidance (Fear Questionnaire), difficulties in emotion regulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Strategies), and worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), as well as a significantly larger increase in mindfulness skills (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire). After a 6-month follow-up treatment gains were somewhat diminished. Effects of MBCT on anxiety at post-treatment did not prove to be mediated by mindfulness skills, difficulties in emotion regulation strategies, worry, or rumination (Rumination on Sadness Scales) at mid-treatment. ConclusionsMBCT seems to be a promising intervention in routine clinical care for persons with an anxiety disorder who insufficiently responded to first-line psychological treatment. Future research in larger samples assessing long-term effects and using intensive longitudinal designs to identify possible working mechanisms is called for.

An Intensive Care Unit peer support group: Participants' views on format, content and the impact on recovery journeys.

Peer support groups reduce psychological morbidity and increase social support for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors. Group formats differ and research, although emerging, is limited. This study explores a continuously running ICU Expert by Experience group, which has a dual role of support and service-user consultative, from attendees' perspectives. A thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with current and past members of an ICU Expert by Experience group. 11 participants took part in online and telephone interviews. Three provided written responses. Final themes were created following a process of data validation with participants. Four main themes emerged: (1) Support in the difficult recovery journey (2) Relationships and shared experiences (3) Value of professional facilitation (4) Practical considerations. Patients highlighted the help gained from the group as an integral part of their recovery journey. Results also identified practical implications for those considering setting up similar support groups.

Design Considerations for Group Interventions for Adolescent Victims of Interpersonal Violence in Chile

ABSTRACT Whilst individual psychotherapy is effective in treating the consequences of interpersonal violence, the demand for care usually exceeds the capacity of healthcare systems. Group interventions allow access for more children and adolescents, but evidence of their effectiveness is still scarce. Our objective was to investigate the opinions of Chilean professionals on what should be considered when designing group psychotherapeutic interventions for adolescent. Participants were 85 psychologists and social workers who work with adolescents exposed to violence. Participants completed an online survey about their opinions regarding the issues that should be addressed in group interventions. Thematic analysis uncovered broad support for this type of group intervention as part of a larger intervention process. Participants suggested that initial phases of the intervention should be carried out in a group format, address general aspects of trauma and intervention, and highlight personal resources and aspects of normal life. The individual trauma narratives should be addressed later, in individual therapy. Participants proposed a balance between psychoeducation and experiential activities. The results support group interventions to allow a better use of professional resources to face high demand for treatment, but it should be part of an intervention in phases, taking care not to retraumatize group participants.

Culturally adapting a parent psychoeducational intervention for Chinese immigrant families of young children with autism spectrum disorder

AbstractAsian children with autism are underdiagnosed and underserved compared to White children in the United States. There is a critical need for culturally appropriate interventions addressing these health disparities. The current study aims to present the cultural adaptation process of an empirically supported parent education intervention, “Parents Taking Action” (PTA), for low‐income Chinese immigrant families of young children with autism. Six Chinese immigrant parents of children with autism and six providers serving this population were recruited to participate in two separate focus groups in a US Midwestern city. Focus group data were transcribed and then analyzed using deductive qualitative analysis. Two bilingual researchers coded the data independently using a predeveloped coding list. Parents provided insights on the intervention structure and contextual elements such as cultural stigma against autism while providers put more emphasis on content modification. Parents underscored the benefits of delivering the intervention in group format as opposed to one‐on‐one family visits. This preference for group delivery was based on contextual issues such as feeling isolated from extended family and community members who do not have much knowledge of autism. Parents and providers agreed that it is important to deliver the intervention in community settings instead of clinics to enhance accessibility. As we tested out the predeveloped coding list, we synthesized a process of integrating community input into modifications of the original intervention. To our knowledge, this is the first culturally adapted intervention targeting Chinese immigrant families of young children with autism. The lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions for Chinese immigrant families of children with autism is alarming given the fast growth of this population. The process of culturally adapting “PTA” for Chinese immigrant families of children with autism provides a roadmap on how to translate community input into steps of adaptations.

Parenting in a Pandemic: Preliminary Support for Delivering Brief Behavioral Parent Training Through Telehealth.

Behavioral problems, such as noncompliance and aggression, are a common referral reason to mental health services for young children. Behavioral parent training (BPT) is the leading intervention for addressing behavioral problems and leads to benefits in a variety of parental factors (e.g., parenting efficacy and parenting stress). While the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted service delivery toward telehealth services, limited work has evaluated the effectiveness of BPT when delivered in a brief, group format through telehealth. The current retrospective chart review study evaluated the engagement to and preliminary effectiveness of a brief version of BPT delivered through telehealth to 64 families of 3- to 7-year-olds referred for behavioral problems. Families attended an average of 4.55 of 6 sessions and most families had two caregivers who engaged in the intervention. Significant reductions in caregivers' report of children's behavioral problems and improvements in parenting self-efficacy resulted. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.

Abstract 5930: Identifying effective communication for recruitment of minority women to a breast cancer prevention study: A novel focus group approach

Abstract Ensuring that minoritized women are involved in breast cancer research is important to address well-documented current disparities in cancer incidence, stages of diagnosis, and mortality rates. This study used a novel interactive focus group method to identify innovative communication strategies for recruiting women from two minority groups—Latinas and Asian Americans—into the Komen Tissue Bank, a specific breast cancer biobank clinical trial. Through activities that employed visual interactive tools to facilitate group discussion and self-reflection, the authors examined perspectives and motivations for Asian American women (N=17) and Latinas (N=14) toward donating their healthy breast tissue. Findings included three themes that, while common to both groups, were unique in how they were expressed: lack of knowledge concerning breast cancer risks and participation in clinical research, cultural influences in breast cancer risk thinking, and how altruism relates to perceived personal connection to breast cancer. More significantly, this study illuminated the importance of using innovative methods to encourage deeper, more enlightened participation among underrepresented populations that may not arise in a traditional focus group format. The findings from this study will inform future health communication efforts to recruit women from these groups into clinical research projects like the Komen Tissue Bank. These findings also illustrate the importance of applying rigorous qualitative work to supplement quantitative research to increase the inclusion of minoritized populations in clinical trials. Citation Format: Katherine E. Ridley-Merriweather, Stephanie M. Younker, Madeline D. Evans, Cynthia Y. Wu. Identifying effective communication for recruitment of minority women to a breast cancer prevention study: A novel focus group approach [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5930.

Cohesion and chronic pain: A case for assessing an overlooked process variable.

Chronic pain management services are often provided in group formats, as they are cost effective, increase access to care, and provide unique and needed social support to patients, but mixed outcomes for these groups indicate room for improvement. A small but growing body of research suggests routine assessment of and feedback on group cohesion may improve individual patient outcomes, though this has not been studied among chronic pain groups. Provided in this article is a rationale for assessing group cohesion in pain management programs, along with considerations for how and when to use routine outcome monitoring of cohesion in clinical practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Appreciative Advising to Enhance Academic Major Satisfaction in Prenursing Students

Nursing students' success and satisfaction with the major require early, proactive practices. This study examined two such practices utilized with prenursing students: freshman seminar and Appreciative Advising (AA). This study explored whether AA integrated into freshman seminar would impact prenursing students' academic major satisfaction. An advisor hosted four AA sessions in group format in freshman seminar throughout the first half of a 15-week semester. This one-group pretest/posttest investigation revealed prenursing students' (n = 81) academic major satisfaction improved at a statistically significant level (Z = –4.11, p < .001) with a medium effect (r = .32) after a first semester AA intervention.

Multifamily therapy in first episodes of psychosis: a pilot study

IntroductionMultifamily interventions have shown to reduce the risk of relapse of psychotic symptoms in first episodes of psychosis (FEPs) but are not frequently implemented in specific treatment programs. We have develop a pilot study for the implementation of the interfamily therapy in FEPs within a Mental Health Centre in the Community of Madrid.ObjectivesThe aims were to examine: relapses (measured as re-hospitalization), duration of re-hospitalizations and voluntary versus involuntary re-hospitalizations during participation in MFG compared with the previous year.Methods21 subjects participated in a MFG during 12 months, 11 participants with a diagnosis of psychosis and 10 family members. Interfamily therapy works as a new model of interactive psychoeducation among families where they share their own experiences and look for comprehension and solutions all together.ResultsOur clinical experience in an interfamily therapy intervention over 12 months has led us to identify a high degree of participation and acceptance by users and their families, and we have observed a lower relapse rate, with fewer of psychiatric admissions and of shorter duration among patients during the year of participation in the MFG compared to the year before treatment.ConclusionsMFG has been well accepted by both patients and their families, with a high degree of participation.The results observed in our experience of MFG treatment are consistent with the findings of previous studies that support the reduction of the relapse rate, the number of hospitalizations and their duration when family interventions are incorporated into treatment in recent-onset psychosis, especially in a multi-family group format.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Living Well with Illness: Evaluation of a Transdiagnostic Compassion-Focused Therapy Group for Long-Term Health Conditions

This study presents a mixed methods evaluation of a transdiagnostic Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) group intervention, for adults with long-term health conditions (LTHCs). It aims to assess whether group completion was associated with improved outcomes in mood, overall well-being and the extent of LTHC interference in confidence for managing daily activities. Additionally, it examines the extent to which changes were related to processes targeted by CFT. The ‘Living Well with Illness’ group consisted of eleven weekly sessions, ten in group format and one individual formulation session at the course midpoint. Group participants were under the care of a medical consultant for their LTHC and were referred by a Psychology in Healthcare clinician. Outcome measurement data was collected from participants who attended groups conducted between January 2018 to January 2020. These measures assessed levels of anxiety, depression, overall well-being and confidence engaging in daily activities. Processes targeted by CFT were also measured including self-compassion and self-criticism. Additionally, qualitative questionnaire feedback was collated and analysed using conventional content analysis. The current study revealed a significant reduction in scores of anxiety and depression. A significant improvement was observed for well-being and confidence for engaging in daily activities. Additionally, a significant improvement was seen in self-compassion and a concurrent reduction in levels of self-criticism. Qualitative findings provided support for changes in self-compassion, utility of compassion-focused strategies and the benefits of a transdiagnostic group format. The findings of this study suggest CFT is an effective therapeutic approach to improve psychological well-being in LTHCs and that this can be delivered in a transdiagnostic group format.

Randomized controlled trial of Sunnyside: Individual versus group-based online interventions to prevent postpartum depression

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem that has a prevalence rate of nearly 20% in the first three months after delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of Sunnyside, an internet-based cognitive-behavioral intervention, delivered in a group format compared to the same intervention delivered individually for the prevention of PPD. Method210 people between 20- and 28-weeks gestation and who scored between 5 and 14 on the PHQ-8 and who did not meet criteria for major depression were recruited online. The Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms (IDAS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), and the depression and anxiety modules of the MINI were obtained at baseline, post-treatment, and 12-weeks postpartum. Intervention adherence was measured by site usage. ResultsAcross self-report and interview measures of depression there were no significant differences in outcome between the group and the individual versions of the program. Rates of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder in the postpartum period were low and adherence to the conditions was similarly high. Participants in the individual condition were significantly more satisfied than participants in the group condition (p < 0.05). LimitationsThe sample was predominantly white (85%) and recruited online, which may limit generalizability. ConclusionsThe group intervention was not more effective than the individual intervention. However, ignoring groups, many measures improved over time. The results of this study provide evidence that mood symptoms improve when participating in an online preventive intervention for postpartum depression.

'They don't want them to have capacity': Multi-agency operationalisation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England with adults who self-neglect.

The number of adults who self-neglect and thus fall under the aegis of local authority adult safeguarding procedures in England has increased substantially since the introduction of the Care Act 2014. The requirement for collaborative working between agencies dealing with these adults in a safeguarding context is explicit in government policy and legislation. Decisions made by the multiplicity of agencies that may work with people who self-neglect are largely guided by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The overall objective of this research was to develop a clearer understanding of how the range of agencies that might typically be involved in the life of a self-neglecting person work together. This article examines how agencies put the MCA into practice in their work with people who self-neglect, and how they understand their own and others' roles and responsibilities in so doing. This qualitative study took place in two local authorities in England from 2016 to 2017 and informed a wider action research study which was completed in 2019. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from the professional groups who might typically be involved with self-neglect cases. À total of 245 participants from across 17 different professional groups took part in semi-structured interviews, in a group, paired or individual format, decided by their customary working configuration. Data from the interview transcripts was analysed using thematic analysis. Three key themes in relation to how participants understood the MCA and multi-agency working emerged from the analysis of this data set. These were; a lack of understanding of the MCA by participants and other agencies; a reluctance to engage with MCA assessments; and a perception of manipulation of the MCA by other professionals. This study underlines the importance of the informed application of the MCA in working with people who self-neglect, and an urgent need to consider how this could be enhanced if the service user is not to experience intrusive interventions resulting from professional misinterpretation.

A prediction model for pathological findings after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on endoscopic images using deep learning.

To propose deep-learning (DL)-based predictive model for pathological complete response rate for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) with endoscopic images. This retrospective study analyzed 98 patients with locally advanced esophagus cancer treated by preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery from 2004 to 2016. The patient data were split into two sets: 72 patients for the training of models and 26 patients for testing of the model. Patients was classified into two groups with the LC (Group I: responder and Group II: non-responder). The scanned images were converted into joint photographic experts group (JPEG) format and resized to 150 × 150 pixels. The input image without imaging filter (w/o filter) and with Laplacian, Sobel, and wavelet imaging filters deep-learning model to predict the pathological CR with a convolution neural network (CNN). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic were evaluated. The average of accuracy for the cross-validation was 0.64 for w/o filter, 0.69 for Laplacian filter, 0.71 for Sobel filter, and 0.81 for wavelet filter, respectively. The average of sensitivity for the cross-validation was 0.80 for w/o filter, 0.81 for Laplacian filter, 0.67 for Sobel filter, and 0.80 for wavelet filter, respectively. The average of specificity for the cross-validation was 0.37 for w/o filter, 0.55 for Laplacian filter, 0.68 for Sobel filter, and 0.81 for wavelet filter, respectively. From the ROC curve, the average AUC for the cross-validation was 0.58 for w/o filter, 0.67 for Laplacian filter, 0.73 for Sobel filter, and 0.83 for wavelet filter, respectively. The current study proposed the improvement the accuracy of the DL-based prediction model with the imaging filters. With the imaging filters, the accuracy was significantly improved. The model can be supported to assist clinical oncologists to have a more accurate expectations of the treatment outcome. The accuracy of the prediction for the local control after radiotherapy can improve with the input image with the imaging filter for deep learning.

Mood Lifters: evaluation of a novel peer-led mental wellness program

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test a mental wellness intervention, Mood Lifters (ML), that addresses significant barriers to mental health care. ML includes adults over 18 struggling with mental wellness or any life difficulties, except those with active suicidality, mania and psychosis, and addresses barriers to care using peer leaders in a manualized group format with a gamified point system. Design/methodology/approach Participants were recruited using online postings. Those eligible (76% female, 80% white) were randomly assigned to professional-led groups (N = 30), peer-led groups (N = 33) or a waitlist (N = 22; i.e. attended assigned condition if available). Participants completed pre- and postgroup measures (including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Perceived Stress Scale), attended 15 weekly meetings and tracked “points” or at-home skills practice. Multiple imputation was used to account for attrition. Linear regressions were analyzed to determine the program’s impact on anxiety and depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Further analyses included comparisons between peer- and professional-led groups. Findings Participants in ML experienced significant reductions in anxiety symptoms. Completing more homework across the program led to significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress. Finally, there were no significant differences in attendance, homework completed or outcomes between peer- and professional-led groups. Practical implications Overall, participation in the ML program led to reduced anxiety symptoms, and for those who completed more homework, reduced perceived stress. More accessible programs can make a significant impact on symptoms and are critical to address the overburdened care system. Additionally, there were no differences between leader types indicating that peers may be an effective way to address accessibility concerns. Originality/value ML is unique for three reasons: it takes a biopsychosocial/Research Domain Criteria approach to mental wellness (i.e. incorporates many areas relevant to mental health, does not focus on a specific diagnosis), overcomes major barriers to mental health care and uses a peer-delivery model. These attributes, taken together with the results of this study, present a care alternative for those with less access.