Feasibility of a web-based stress management intervention for university students in Indonesia

Abstract Background University students are susceptible to excessive stress. A web-based stress management intervention holds promise to improve stress but is still at a novel stage in Indonesia. This present paper reports the feasibility of the intervention we developed ( ‘Rileks’ ) among university students in Indonesia in terms of acceptability and usability, and to propose recommendations for future improvements. Methods A single-group pre-test and post-test design was used. Participants with DASS-42 Stress scale score ≥ 15 were given access to the intervention (N= 68). The main outcome measures were the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and intervention uptake. Participants’ experience in each session was evaluated using closed and open-ended questions for future improvements. Descriptive statistics were used to examine primary outcome and qualitative session evaluations. Participants’ responses to each topic of the open questions were summarized. Results The intervention was evaluated as being satisfactory (CSQ-8 average score 21.89 (SD 8.72), range 8-32). However, the intervention’s usability was still below expectation (SUS average score 62.8 (SD 14.74), range 0-100). The core modules were completed by 10 participants (14.7%) and the study drop out rate was 63.23% at post-assessment. The module content was rated generally positively with some notes for improvement covering content and technical aspects. Conclusions The study indicates that Rileks is potentially feasible for Indonesian university students. In order to be optimally applied in such context and before scaling up web-based intervention in general in Indonesia a further development and refinement are needed.