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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Dec;16(1):2535082.
doi: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2535082. Epub 2025 Aug 12.

A web-based psychoeducational programme for trauma-related symptoms in Indonesian undergraduate students: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Indira Primasari  1   2   3 , Chris M Hoeboer  1   2 , Marit Sijbrandij  2   4 , Miranda Olff  1   2   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A web-based psychoeducational programme for trauma-related symptoms in Indonesian undergraduate students: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Indira Primasari et al. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2025 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) are prevalent among Indonesian students. Web-based psychoeducation might increase mental health literacy and reduce barriers to healthcare access. We developed Pulihkan Luka (PL), a web-based psychoeducation programme for Indonesian undergraduate students. This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of PL. Students (N = 130) were randomly assigned to (1) four to seven sessions of PL + Enhanced Usual Care (PL+EUC; n = 64) or (2) EUC only (n = 66). EUC included a leaflet with referral options to available (mental) health services. Participants received baseline, post-intervention, three- and six-month follow-up assessments. Twenty participants from the treatment group were invited to participate in a focus group discussion. The feasibility and acceptability of PL were examined as primary outcomes based on module completion, MT4C-in-Care feasibility survey, IIAQ-ID, and SIN-E-Stress user satisfaction survey. Secondary outcomes included mental health literacy (MHL questionnaire), psychological well-being (WHO-5), help-seeking intention (GHSQ), symptoms of PTSD (PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and insomnia (ISI). The results indicated a high acceptability of PL (90.63% willing to use the intervention and 89.06% satisfied with the intervention). The uptake and adherence to the intervention were high, with 92.18% completing the first module and 75% completing all assigned modules. However, the feasibility was somewhat lower (59.38% reported sufficient energy and time to complete the modules). The PL+EUC group improved significantly more in mental health literacy compared to EUC only from baseline to post-intervention (b = -0.99, t(140) = 3.64, p = .02). The PL+EUC group did not improve more in psychological well-being and help-seeking intentions, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia compared to EUC only. PL is the first web-based trauma psychoeducation programme in Indonesia, and it was found to be feasible and acceptable for Indonesian undergraduate students, as well as to improve mental health literacy.Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry identifier: TCTR20230721001.

Los eventos potencialmente traumáticos (EPTs) son frecuentes entre los estudiantes indonesios. La psicoeducación basada en la web podría mejorar la alfabetización en salud mental y reducir las barreras de acceso a la atención en salud. Desarrollamos Pulihkan Luka (PL), un programa de psicoeducación basado en la web para estudiantes universitarios indonesios. Este ensayo piloto controlado aleatorizado evaluó la viabilidad, aceptabilidad y eficacia preliminar de PL. Los estudiantes (N = 130) fueron asignados en forma aleatoria a (1) cuatro a siete sesiones de PL + Cuidado Habitual Mejorado (PL + CHM; n = 64) o (2) sólo CHM (n = 66). El CHM incluyó un folleto con opciones de derivación a los servicios de salud (mental) disponibles. Los participantes recibieron evaluaciones al inicio, post intervención, y de seguimiento a los 3 y 6 meses. Se invito a veinte participantes del grupo de tratamiento a participar en una discusión de grupo focal. La viabilidad y aceptabilidad de PL fueron examinados como resultados primarios basados en la finalización del módulo, la encuesta de viabilidad de MT4C-in-Care, IIAQ-ID y la encuesta de satisfacción del usuario SIN-E-Stress. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron alfabetización en salud mental (cuestionario de ASM), bienestar psicológico (WHO-5), intención de búsqueda de ayuda (GHSQ), síntomas de TEPT (PCL-5), depresión (PHQ-9), ansiedad (GAD-7) e insomnio (ISI). Los resultados indicaron una alta aceptabilidad de PL (90.63% dispuestos a usar la intervención y 89.06% satisfechos con ella). La adopción y la adherencia a la intervención fueron altas, con 92.18% completando el primer módulo y 75% completando todos los módulos asignados. Sin embargo, la viabilidad fue algo menor (59.38% reportó energía suficiente y tiempo para completar los módulos). El grupo PL + CHM mejoró significativamente más en alfabetización en salud mental en comparación con el grupo sólo CHM desde el inicio hasta la post intervención (b = −0.99, t(140) = 3.64, p = .02). El grupo de PL + CHM no mejoró más en bienestar psicológico ni intenciones de búsqueda de ayuda, TEPT, depresión, ansiedad e insomnio en comparación con sólo CHM. PL es el primer programa de psicoeducación de trauma basado en la web en Indonesia y se ha demostrado que es viable y aceptable para estudiantes universitarios indonesios, así como mejora la alfabetización en salud mental.

Keywords: Trastornos relacionados con trauma; Trauma-related disorders; autoayuda basada en internet; ensayo controlado aleatorizado; estudio de viabilidad y aceptabilidad; feasibility-acceptability study; internet-based self-help; psicoeducación basado en la web; randomized controlled trial; web-based psychoeducation.

Plain language summary

Pulihkan Luka (PL) is the first web-based psychoeducation programme for trauma-related mental health symptoms in Indonesia.PL proved feasible and acceptable for Indonesian undergraduate students.The long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PL need to be investigated in future studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

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Figure 1.
Trial profile.
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