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

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.