Prevention of Mental Disorders Through Self-efficacy Interventions

Low self-efficacy is a transdiagnostic risk factor for several mental disorders. Self-efficacy refers to one's belief that one is capable of performing a behavior necessary to successfully complete a task or achieve a goal. Consistent with theoretical models and empirical findings, individuals with low self-efficacy are more likely to perceive challenges as uncontrollable and threatening and thus are at increased risk for developing mental disorders during sensitive periods such as young adulthood. Self-efficacy interventions have been shown to be effective in promoting health behavior change, quality of life, and treatment adherence in patients with serious illnesses, as well as motivation and performance in students and employees. However, whether targeted self-efficacy training can prospectively prevent the onset of full-threshold anxiety, affective, and substance use disorders in young adults at increased risk for psychopathology remains an open question. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to test whether a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention in young adults with low self-efficacy can increase general self-efficacy (primary outcome of intervention effectiveness) and thus prevent the onset of DSM-5 mental disorders in the subsequent year (primary outcome of prevention effectiveness). In addition, we examine whether improvements in domain-specific self-efficacy lead to subsequent improvements in general self-efficacy and thus to lower psychopathological sym…

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Eva Asselmann, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil.  ·  +49 331 74 51 13 131  ·  eva.asselmann@health-and-medical-university.de

Felix D Gross, M. Sc. Psychology  ·  +49 331 74 51 13 131  ·  felix.gross@hmu-potsdam.de

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