Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders in University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Trial of Online and Blended Formats

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Young adults, particularly university students (ages 15-24), are prone to psychological issues like anxiety and depression.
• Prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders is high among Spanish university students, with low treatment seeking rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness, acceptability, and implementation of an online group format versus a blended format of a psychological intervention (UP) for university students with emotional disorders (EDs).

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 70 university students with EDs.
• Participants assigned to either an online group or blended intervention format.
• Assessments conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1 and 3-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes include improvements in anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
• Secondary outcomes focus on program adherence and acceptability.
• Expected improvements in outcome variables across both conditions, maintained over time, with high participant satisfaction and usability.

Conclusions:

• The study aims to validate the utility and efficiency of UP for treating EDs in university settings.
• Effective formats could improve access to mental health services, student well-being, and academic success.
• Findings may guide the development of scalable, cost-effective interventions for university mental health services.