title: Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based stress management program among community college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of a web-based stress management program among community college students that focused on increasing perceived control over stressful events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students (N = 257) were randomly assigned to a Present Control Intervention or a Stress-information only comparison group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcomes were perceived stress and stress symptoms; secondary outcomes were depression and anxiety. Self-report measures were completed online at preintervention, postintervention, and three-week follow-up. Intervention effects were estimated using linear mixed models. Seventy-five percent of the sample (n = 194) completed the pretest and comprised the intent-to-treat sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in the intervention group reported significant increases in present control, and significant decreases in all four primary and secondary outcome measures from baseline to postintervention and follow-up. Within-group effect sizes were small to medium at postintervention (mean d = -.34) and follow-up (mean d = -.49). The mean between-group effect size on the four outcome measures was d = .35 at postintervention but d = .12 at follow-up, due to unexpected decreases in distress in the comparison group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our online program is a cost-effective mental health program for college students. Limitations and future direction are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN 55455 , USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Christiaan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Jacob A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Lindsey R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: college students; community college; emotional distress; online intervention; perceived control; stress management