Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew, Richardson, Ben, Little, Keriann, Teague, Samantha, Hartley-Clark, Linda, Capic, Tanja, Khor, Sarah, Cummins, Robert A., Olsson, Craig, and Hutchinson, Delyse (2017) The StressLess Mobile App Study: Helping carers thrive. Report. Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

This report describes the key findings of a randomised controlled trial of an eHealth intervention called StressLess, which was designed to improve stress and broader psychological functioning of informal carers in Australia, drawing on a 3rd wave cognitive behavioural therapy approach. Carers were recruited via targeted social media (Facebook) campaigns and randomly assigned to use either the StressLess treatment app or a control app for five weeks. The control app simply monitored mood and stress, whereas the treatment app also included treatment modules to reduce stress and improve mood.

To assess for improvements in psychological functioning from using the StressLess app, a range of factors including stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, subjective wellbeing, positive affect (HPMood), resilience, self-esteem, optimism, coping strategies (primary and secondary) and perceived social support, were measured immediately before and after the intervention. A total of 110 carers (n= 52 in the treatment group and n=58 in the control group) participated in both the pre-intervention and post-intervention components of the study.

There were a number of key findings from the study:

• On average, carers showed high levels of stress, depression and anxiety symptoms as well as low levels of wellbeing and positive mood. Approximately 35-50% of the sample appeared to be at risk of experiencing a psychological disorder. This supports previous findings that the caregiving role may increase vulnerability to mental health difficulties.

• The randomized controlled trial indicated that the StressLess app was effective at reducing stress symptoms and improving resilience. Whilst these findings were evident in the overall treatment sample, they were particularly pronounced amongst the participants experiencing higher levels of distress at the start of the study.

• Improvements in subjective wellbeing and HPMood and increases in the use of primary coping strategies were also more common amongst individuals using the StressLess app who showed signs of poorer psychological functioning at the start of the study.

• Feedback provided during phone calls with participants and in the post-intervention survey showed that end-users found StressLess engaging and easy to use.

Item ID:	83645
Item Type:	Report (Report)
ISSN:	9780730000204
Copyright Information:	© Deakin University and Australian Unity Limited
Date Deposited:	06 Nov 2024 00:20
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