NCT05738109

Evaluating the Efficacy of a 91-day Self-talk Mental Health Self-care Journal

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 67 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Victoria · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 19 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

1. Does a 91-day self-talk journal intervention improve outcomes of self-criticism, self-esteem, automatic negative self-statements, and mental health among participants using the journal over wait-list control? 2. What is the adherence rate to a 91-day self-talk journal intervention? 3. What were participants' experience(s) of using a 91-day self-talk journal?

Detailed description

The following research project can contribute to the investigators' understanding of how/how well self-guided resources can increase participant outcomes of self-criticism, self-esteem, automatic negative self-statements, and mental health. Self-guided resources such as a self-talk journal provide can provide an easily accessible avenue for improving individual mental health. There has been a recent surge in the popularity of health-promotive self-care products, or products aimed at providing individuals with "the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to achieve and maintain good health". These products (often in the form of journals) are similar to "self-help books"; however, a key difference is that self-care products prompt and provide space for the reader to actively engage in activities and psychological techniques, unlike the passive nature of traditional self-help books. These products typically address mental health concerns (i.e., mental health self-care) and are advertised to provide an effective means for individuals to reduce stress, improve self-compassion, and boost wellbeing. What's more, the generally positive reviews these products garner provides the perception that these products are well-received and effective in eliciting these outcomes. However, the scientific foundation for the majority of these journals is unknown. Furthermore, the efficacy of these products for improving or promoting their intended outcome(s) is often not addressed outside of these, often positive, reviews.

Conditions

• Mental Health
• Self Care

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Self-Talk Journals	Participants randomized to the intervention group will receive a physical copy of the 91-day self-talk journal during the baseline meeting. Participants will also be introduced the purpose of the journal and its intended usage (i.e., daily journaling). Intervention participants will not be offered guidance or feedback on the journal after these initial instructions, in order to emulate an ad libitum usage. Control group participants will not receive any contact with the researchers outside of the planned questionnaires and to receive their journal at the three-month timepoint.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-09-13
• Primary completion: 2024-04-30
• Completion: 2024-04-30
• First posted: 2023-02-21
• Last updated: 2024-06-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada