Comparing the effectiveness of two online interventions for sub-threshold and mild obsessive-compulsive symptoms: a randomised controlled trial

INTERVENTION: The intervention is an online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program called YOLO (You Only Live Once; Viskovich & Packenham, 2019). The program involves 4 modules that target the ACT processes: acceptance, defusing from thoughts, mindfulness and observer self, and values and committed action. Participants are given 6 weeks to complete the modules in their own home and on a device that has an internet connection. Each module is 30‐50 minutes in length, however consists of several small exercises of 5‐10 minutes each, including animated presentations, you‐tube clips, audio files and written exercises that are based on ACT. The intervention is not personalised to participants. Participants receive automated email reminders every 2‐8 days to prompt engagement over the 6‐week active intervention period. A standard automated email will be sent after a participant has completed a module, providing a recap of the module and skills to practice during the week. Adherence to the modules and the exercises within them will be monitored by the student researcher by accessing website analytics. CONDITION: Mental Health ‐ Anxiety Mental Health ‐ Depression Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders Obsessive‐compulsive symptoms;Depressive symptoms;Anxiety symptoms; ; Obsessive‐compulsive symptoms ; Depressive symptoms ; Anxiety symptoms PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, as measured by the Dimensional Obsessive‐Compulsive Scale[6 weeks after baseline (primary timepoint) and 6 months after baseline] Change in psychological flexibility sub scores, as measured by the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory[6 weeks after baseline (primary timepoint) and 6 months after baseline] Change in psychological inflexibility sub scores, as measured by the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory[6 weeks after baseline (primary timepoint) and 6 months after baseline] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Adherence to intervention, as measured by the number of modules completed. Such information will be attained by accessing website analytics and module completion data in Qualtrics.[6 weeks after baseline.] Adverse experiences, measured as percent yes or no, and if yes, a qualitative description.[After each module completion (4 possible time‐points)] Change in anxiety scores, as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale ‐21 (DASS‐21)[6 weeks and 6 months after baseline] Change in depression scores, as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale ‐21 (DASS‐21)[6 weeks and 6 months after baseline] Change in quality of life scores, as measure by the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q‐LES‐Q‐SF)[6 weeks and 6 months after baseline] Program satisfaction assessed by individually rated items (from 1‐5) on a custom built survey, including ratings of (1) satisfaction with the program, (2) relevance of content, (3) helpfulness of the emails, (4) and how likely they would be to recommend the program.[6 weeks after baseline] Program usability, measured by the System Usability Scale.[6 weeks after baseline] Self‐reported adherence to the intervention, as measured by how many days participants self‐reported practicing between modules[On completion of each module (4 possible time‐points), and 6 weeks and 6 months after baseline.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will a) endorse sub‐clinical or mild obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, as define by Dimensional Obsessive‐Compulsive Scale (DOCS) scores >11 and <32, and b) reside in an English‐speaking country.