NCT07466004

PERMA-Based Mobile Psychological Intervention With and Without Telephone Support for University Students

Efficacy of a Positive Psychology-Based Psychological Intervention Grounded in the PERMA Model Delivered Via Smartphone App, With and Without Telephone Multiconference Support, for the Promotion of Psychological Well-Being in University Students

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 177 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Santiago de Compostela · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

University students face increasing academic and psychosocial demands that place them at risk of reduced psychological well-being. Positive psychology interventions have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health; however, few are grounded explicitly in Seligman's PERMA model and adherence to digital interventions remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief PERMA-based psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone application, with and without supplementary telephone multiconference support, compared to a waiting list control group. The intervention consists of five weekly modules targeting Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up.

Conditions

• Psychological Well Being
• Mental Health Promotion

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	App Based PERMA intervention	The PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goal-setting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006).
BEHAVIORAL	App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference	The PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi,1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goalsetting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006). Additionally, the multiconference component will consist of weekly 30-minute telephone-based multiconference sessions. During these sessions, positive or corrective feedback will be delivered in accordance with Miltenberger's guidelines (Miltenberger, 2012) after reviewing the completed homework.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-09-01
• Primary completion: 2029-08-31
• Completion: 2029-08-31
• First posted: 2026-03-12
• Last updated: 2026-03-12