An Islamic Psychospiritual-Acceptance and Commitment-based Prevention Program for At-risk Young Adults in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health concerns worldwide, and young adults are at higher risk of experiencing increased psychological distress due to the pandemic. University students face compounding stressors during the pandemic, such as online and remote learning, economic insecurity, and uncertain career prospects. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an online modular prevention program featuring integrated elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Islamic spirituality in reducing the psychological distress and increasing the psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and resilience of Muslim university students in Malaysia.

Official Title
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An Islamic Psychospiritual-Acceptance and Commitment-based Prevention Program for At-Risk Young Adults in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Conditions
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Psychological Distress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 5-week prevention program
* Behavioral: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Undergraduate or postgraduate student enrolled in a Malaysian university aged 18-29 years old Obtained moderate and above levels in either one of the stress, anxiety, and depression subscales of the DASS-21 pre-intervention assessment Muslim Owns a gadget with Internet access Can read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: Those with previous experience with a modular ACT-based treatment with Islamic elements Those with past or present diagnosis of mental/neurological disorder Those reporting active suicidality Those involved in any other form of psychological treatment (ie. psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 29 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: A randomised parallel interventional study model in which there will be 2 groups, an intervention group and a waitlist control group.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>5-week online prevention program | Behavioral: 5-week prevention program<br>* Online modular psychological prevention program featuring integrated elements of Islamic spirituality and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).<br>|
| Other: Control<br>Waitlist control | Behavioral: Control<br>* Control group waitlisted to receive prevention program after completion of final data collection.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in psychological distress | Measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). | Measured at pre-intervention, mid-intervention (third week of prevention program), post-intervention (up to 1-week after completion of program), and 1-month follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in psychological flexibility | Measured using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II; Bond et al., 2011; Hayes et al., 2004). | Measured at pre-intervention, mid-intervention (third week of prevention program), post-intervention (up to 1-week after completion of program), and 1-month follow-up | 
| Changes in self-compassion. | Measured through the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff 2003; Neff, 2015). | Measured at pre-intervention, mid-intervention (third week of prevention program), post-intervention (up to 1-week after completion of program), and 1-month follow-up | 
| Changes in resilience | Measured by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS; Smith et al., 2008). | Measured at pre-intervention, mid-intervention (third week of prevention program), post-intervention (up to 1-week after completion of program), and 1-month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Islamic psychospiritual intervention, Online intervention, COVID-19, Prevention program