Can the JoyPopTM app improve coping flexibility among postsecondary students? A proof of concept study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether using a resilience-building mental health app (JoyPopTM) is associated with improved coping flexibility among postsecondary students.

PARTICIPANTS

182 students at a medium-sized Canadian university completed the study.

METHODS

Participants used the JoyPopTM app for one week. Participants completed a measure assessing coping flexibility before and after using the app. Paired samples t-tests examined changes in coping flexibility.

RESULTS

Overall coping flexibility improved (d = .42, p < .001), along with each component of coping flexibility: abandonment (d = .22, p = .004), re-coping (d = .38, p < .001), meta-coping (d = .44, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results support the inclusion of coping flexibility as a process variable in future evaluations using more rigorous designs and contribute to the growing body of nonexperimental evidence supporting the JoyPopTM app as a valuable tool to support student mental health by reducing barriers and facilitating adaptive coping.