@Article{info:doi/10.2196/20513,
author="Schleider, Jessica Lee
and Dobias, Mallory
and Sung, Jenna
and Mumper, Emma
and Mullarkey, Michael C",
title="Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health",
journal="JMIR Ment Health",
year="2020",
month="Jun",
day="30",
volume="7",
number="6",
pages="e20513",
keywords="internet intervention; online interventions; youth; mental health; adolescent; depression; single-session intervention; intervention",
abstract="Background: Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, promising to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be uniquely scalable, particularly if they are freely available for as-needed use. However, the acceptability of online SSI and their efficacy have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, and their practical utility is poorly understood. Objective: We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment {\&} Support), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. Methods: After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (eg, hopelessness, self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. Results: From September 2019 through March 2020, 694 youths accessed YES, 539 began, and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75{\%} non-white; 78.10{\%} female; 43.23{\%} sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (dav=0.53; dz=0.71), self-hate (dav=0.32; dz=0.61), perceived control (dav=0.60; dz=0.72) and agency (dav=0.39; dz=0.50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (eg, enjoyable, likely to help peers). Conclusions: Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress. Trial Registration: Open Science Framework; osf.io/e52p3 ",
issn="2368-7959",
doi="10.2196/20513",
url="http://mental.jmir.org/2020/6/e20513/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/20513",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32602846"
}