Measuring the effectiveness of brief web-based acceptance and commitment therapy to improve psychological well-being in college students

INTERVENTION: Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Treatment group: Participants are required to listen to a sequence of three online ACT mindfulness‐based audios at least once over a three‐week period. The first exercise, “Awareness of breathing” (23 minutes), aims to promote the on‐going non‐judgmental contact with psychological and environmental events as they arise. The second ACT mindfulness exercise, “Leaves on a stream” (13 minutes), encourages a non‐judgemental approach to the language of thoughts, and targeted acceptance. The third audio, “The observing self” (16 minutes), targets self‐concepts and conceptualisations of self. Wait‐list control group: Participants continue as usual for the duration of the three‐week intervention. Participants are given access to an identical treatment condition after the experimental group has concluded the study (three weeks post‐intervention). One week following the intervention, all study participants are emailed and asked to complete post‐treatment questionnaires (GHQ‐12, DASS‐21, AAQ‐II) via a direct link. Three week follow‐up questionnaires (GHQ‐12, DASS‐21, AAQ‐II) are administered via an emailed direct link to all participants once post‐treatment measures are completed. Participation in the study is concluded for those in the treatment condition once 3‐week follow‐up responses are received. CONDITION: Psychological well‐being ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Psychological well‐being PRIMARY OUTCOME: Psychological well‐being is measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) at baseline, one week post‐intervention and three weeks follow up. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Psychological Distress is measured using the depression, anxiety and stress subscales of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS‐21) at baseline, one week post‐intervention and three weeks follow up. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Aged 18 and over 2. Currently registered as a university or college student 3. No formal diagnosis of mental health disorders 4. No previous experience of mindfulness or mindfulness‐based exercises 5. Computer literate