RESUMO
PROBLEM: Despite the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in university students, few receive needed evidence-based treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a seven-session online cognitive-behavioral skill-building intervention (i.e., COPE, Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) versus a comparison group on their anxiety, depressive symptoms, and grade performance. METHODS: A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted from September 2012 to May 2013 with 121 college freshmen enrolled in a required one credit survey course. FINDINGS: Although there were no significant differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms between the groups, only COPE students with an elevated level of anxiety at baseline had a significant decline in symptoms. Grade point average was higher in COPE versus comparison students. Evaluations indicated that COPE was a positive experience for students. CONCLUSIONS: COPE is a promising brief intervention that can be integrated effectively into a required freshman course.
