"resiLIR Basic": A Psychological Online Intervention to Enhance Resilience in the General Population

A Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Feasibility and Efficacy of an Online Resilience Intervention in the General Population ("resiLIR Basic")

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the developed online resilience intervention "resiLIR Basic" for the general population.

Participants will receive a 6-week online intervention addressing resilience and stress as well as different resilience factors. The main question is whether the intervention is effective in increasing psychological resilience.

Background: Acute and chronic stress in everyday life plays an essential role in the onset and development of several physical and mental health conditions. The ability to maintain or return to mental health during stress exposure is characterized as resilience. Especially the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the role of resilience for mental health and pointed to the importance of easily accessible and flexible interventions to improve resilience in the general population.

Objectives: The aim of the study therefore is to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed online intervention to foster resilience in the general population.

Methods: In a waitlist control design, 240 adults will participate in the 6-week resilience intervention "resiLIR Basic". This online intervention consists of 8 modules of about 45-60 minutes length using psycho-educational elements and practical exercises to address evidence-based resilience factors, such as optimism or sense of coherence. Participants will complete online surveys on resilience, mental health, and several resilience factors pre-, during and post-intervention as well as 3, 6 and 12 months after completion as follow-up assessments.

Implications: The study will contribute to an evidence-based and easily accessible supply of resilience interventions supporting health promotion and stress prevention in the general population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Fluent in German language
• Have access to an internet-enabled device with a large screen (tablet / laptop / computer).
• as well as that they can use at least once a week for 45 min to 1.5 hours during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute mental health crisis (e.g., suicidality)
• Psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment
• Neurodegenerative disease(s)
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder