Testing Adapted Self-Help Plus (SH+) for Stress and Well-Being in International Students at a U.S. University

The New School

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Loneliness; Stress, Psychological; Adjustment, Psychological; Depression and/or Anxiety in the Mild-to-moderate Range

Treatments: Behavioral: Digitized SH+

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07188467

SH2025-001

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an adapted version of Self-Help Plus (SH+), a stress management program developed by the World Health Organization, can reduce stress and improve well-being in international students at a U.S. university. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does SH+ reduce perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in international students? Does SH+ improve feelings of social support, self-efficacy, and adjustment in a new cultural environment?

Participants will:

Attend a two-day in-person workshop that includes animated videos, interactive activities, and group discussions.

Complete three surveys (before the workshop, right after, and six weeks later) about stress, mood, and well-being.

Optionally, take part in a short interview to share feedback about their experience.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Enrolled as an international student at The New School
• Age 18 years or older
• Willing to provide informed consent and complete study assessments
• Score of ≥3 on the PHQ-4, indicating at least mild distress
• Sufficient English proficiency to comprehend intervention materials

Exclusion criteria

• Severe psychiatric conditions requiring immediate intervention (e.g., active psychosis, severe mood disorders)
• Visual, hearing, or neurocognitive impairments that prevent engagement with the intervention
• Having an advanced degree in psychology or mental health-related fields (to prevent prior knowledge bias)
• Score of 2 or higher on PHQ-4 Item 3 or Item 4 (frequent thoughts of self-harm or severe distress)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 1 patient group

Self-Help Plus (SH+) Workshop

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will attend a two-day in-person workshop featuring digitized SH+ materials. The workshop includes animated videos, guided stress management exercises, and group discussions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Digitized SH+