Psychological Well BeingNCT07466004
PERMA-Based Mobile Psychological Intervention With and Without Telephone Support for University Students
A study testing App Based PERMA intervention and App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference in people with Psychological Well Being and Mental Health Promotion, run by University of Santiago de Compostela.
Trial summary
University students face increasing academic and psychosocial demands that place them at risk of reduced psychological well-being. Positive psychology interventions have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health; however, few are grounded explicitly in Seligman's PERMA model and adherence to digital… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Psychological Well Being, Mental Health Promotion
- What is being tested?
- App Based PERMA intervention and App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 177 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 31 Aug 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being an actively enrolled university student at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)
- Having access to a smartphone with an internet connection.
Who cannot join
- Having a current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe cognitive impairment, dissociative disorders, or active substance dependence
- Having started psychological or psychopharmacological treatment within the two months prior to the study or participating in another mental health-related study
- Having insufficient proficiency in Spanish, or presenting sensory, cognitive, or physical impairments that would prevent engagement with the intervention
- Planning to move out of Galicia within the next 12 months.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of a Positive Psychology-Based Psychological Intervention Grounded in the PERMA Model Delivered Via Smartphone App, With and Without Telephone Multiconference Support, for the Promotion of Psychological Well-Being in University Students
University students face increasing academic and psychosocial demands that place them at risk of reduced psychological well-being. Positive psychology interventions have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health; however, few are grounded explicitly in Seligman's PERMA model and adherence to digital interventions remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief PERMA-based psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone application, with and without supplementary telephone multiconference support, compared to a waiting list control group. The intervention consists of five weekly modules targeting Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up.
- Conditions
- Psychological Well Being, Mental Health Promotion
- Being tested
- App Based PERMA intervention, App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference
- Keywords
- PERMA model, University students, Mobile intervention, Randomized controlled trial
- Medical subject headings
- Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
App Based PERMA interventionBehavioural
The PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goal-setting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006).
App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconferenceBehavioural
The PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi,1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goalsetting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006). Additionally, the multiconference component will consist of weekly 30-minute telephone-based multiconference sessions. During these sessions, positive or corrective feedback will be delivered in accordance with Miltenberger's guidelines (Miltenberger, 2012) after reviewing the completed homework.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| App-based PERMA intervention (PPIA) | Experimental | Behavioral intervention delivered via smartphone app. Five weekly modules corresponding to the PERMA domains. Receives: Behavioral: App Based PERMA intervention |
| App-based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference (PPIA+M) | Experimental | Same app-based intervention supplemented by weekly 30-minute group telephone multiconference sessions. Receives: Behavioral: App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference |
| Waiting List Control Group (WLCG) | No intervention | Participants receive no intervention during the study period and are granted access after completion. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline emotional well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
One of the primary outcomes of the study will be emotional well-being. This construct will be evaluated using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS; Tennant et al., 2007).
Measured: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
Change from baseline well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
One of the primary outcomes of this study will be well-being (which comprises three elements, emotional, psychological and social well-being)l. This constructs will be evaluated using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002).
Measured: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Aug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (12)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Psychological Well BeingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 177 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Santiago de Compostela
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vanessa Blanco Seoane, University of Santiago de Compostela
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07466004
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- USC-003/2026-H
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Researchers will report study results through publications. The data supporting these findings will be presented in the main publications, and the datasets used during the study can be obtained from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Publications
Miltenberger, R. G. (2012). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures (5th ed). Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Fredrickson BL. The role of positive emotions in positive psychology. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Am Psychol. 2001 Mar;56(3):218-26. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218.
PubMed 11315248Locke EA, Latham GP. Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. A 35-year odyssey. Am Psychol. 2002 Sep;57(9):705-17. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.57.9.705.
PubMed 12237980Tennant R, Hiller L, Fishwick R, Platt S, Joseph S, Weich S, Parkinson J, Secker J, Stewart-Brown S. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validation. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007 Nov 27;5:63. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-5-63.
PubMed 18042300Keyes CL. The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life. J Health Soc Behav. 2002 Jun;43(2):207-22.
PubMed 12096700Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random house.
Steger, M. F. (2009). Meaning in life. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 679-687). Oxford University Press.
Reis, H. T., & Gable, S. L. (2003). Toward a positive psychology of relationships. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 129-159). Oxford University Press.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Simon and Schuster.
Blanco V, Sinaeipour F, Bouza Q, Vazquez FL. PERMA-based mobile psychological intervention with and without telephone support for university students: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 9;17:1854387. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1854387. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42494741
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of a Positive Psychology-Based Psychological Intervention Grounded in the PERMA Model Delivered Via Smartphone App, With and Without Telephone Multiconference Support, for the Promotion of Psychological Well-Being in University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07466004
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- USC-003/2026-H
- Conditions
- Psychological Well Being, Mental Health Promotion
- Keywords
- PERMA model, University students, Mobile intervention, Randomized controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 177 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Santiago de CompostelaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
University students face increasing academic and psychosocial demands that place them at risk of reduced psychological well-being. Positive psychology interventions have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health; however, few are grounded explicitly in Seligman's PERMA model and adherence to digital interventions remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief PERMA-based psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone application, with and without supplementary telephone multiconference support, compared to a waiting list control group. The intervention consists of five weekly modules targeting Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| App-based PERMA intervention (PPIA) | Experimental | Behavioral: App Based PERMA interventionBehavioral intervention delivered via smartphone app. Five weekly modules corresponding to the PERMA domains. |
| App-based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference (PPIA+M) | Experimental | Behavioral: App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconferenceSame app-based intervention supplemented by weekly 30-minute group telephone multiconference sessions. |
| Waiting List Control Group (WLCG) | No intervention | –Participants receive no intervention during the study period and are granted access after completion. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Being an actively enrolled university student at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)
- Having access to a smartphone with an internet connection.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Having a current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe cognitive impairment, dissociative disorders, or active substance dependence
- Having started psychological or psychopharmacological treatment within the two months prior to the study or participating in another mental health-related study
- Having insufficient proficiency in Spanish, or presenting sensory, cognitive, or physical impairments that would prevent engagement with the intervention
- Planning to move out of Galicia within the next 12 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| App Based PERMA interventionThe PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goal-setting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006). | Behavioural | App-based PERMA intervention (PPIA) |
| App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconferenceThe PPIA intervention is a structured psychological program grounded in the PERMA model of well-being (Seligman, 2011). This model proposes that long-term flourishing depends on developing five pillars: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The intervention is further supported by the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi,1990), research on character strengths and positive relationships (Peterson \& Seligman, 2004; Reis \& Gable, 2003), meaning in life (Steger, 2009), the goalsetting theory (Locke \& Latham, 2002) and growth mindset principles (Dweck, 2006). Additionally, the multiconference component will consist of weekly 30-minute telephone-based multiconference sessions. During these sessions, positive or corrective feedback will be delivered in accordance with Miltenberger's guidelines (Miltenberger, 2012) after reviewing the completed homework. | Behavioural | App-based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference (PPIA+M) |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline emotional well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
Time frame: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
One of the primary outcomes of the study will be emotional well-being. This construct will be evaluated using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS; Tennant et al., 2007).
Change from baseline well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up
Time frame: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up.
One of the primary outcomes of this study will be well-being (which comprises three elements, emotional, psychological and social well-being)l. This constructs will be evaluated using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Mar 2026.
- BackgroundMiltenberger, R. G. (2012). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures (5th ed). Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
- Background: PubMed 11315248Fredrickson BL. The role of positive emotions in positive psychology. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Am Psychol. 2001 Mar;56(3):218-26. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218.
- Background: PubMed 12237980Locke EA, Latham GP. Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. A 35-year odyssey. Am Psychol. 2002 Sep;57(9):705-17. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.57.9.705.
- Background: PubMed 18042300Tennant R, Hiller L, Fishwick R, Platt S, Joseph S, Weich S, Parkinson J, Secker J, Stewart-Brown S. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validation. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007 Nov 27;5:63. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-5-63.
- Background: PubMed 12096700Keyes CL. The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life. J Health Soc Behav. 2002 Jun;43(2):207-22.
- BackgroundDweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random house.
- BackgroundSteger, M. F. (2009). Meaning in life. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 679-687). Oxford University Press.
- BackgroundReis, H. T., & Gable, S. L. (2003). Toward a positive psychology of relationships. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 129-159). Oxford University Press.
- BackgroundPeterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.
- BackgroundCsikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.
- BackgroundSeligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Simon and Schuster.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42494741Blanco V, Sinaeipour F, Bouza Q, Vazquez FL. PERMA-based mobile psychological intervention with and without telephone support for university students: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 9;17:1854387. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1854387. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Researchers will report study results through publications. The data supporting these findings will be presented in the main publications, and the datasets used during the study can be obtained from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing App Based PERMA intervention and App Based PERMA intervention plus telephone multiconference in people with Psychological Well Being and Mental Health Promotion, run by University of Santiago de Compostela.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Vanessa Blanco, Professor (+34 881813744, vanessa.blanco@usc.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline emotional well-being to post-intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up (time frame: Pre- and post -intervention (5 weeks) and 6-month follow-up). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07466004, which also lists 12 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Mar 2026.