Can Mindsets Predict Help-Seeking? A Growth Mindset Intervention and Mental Health App Engagement in Working Adults

Summary

Despite the growing adoption of digital mental health initiatives in the workplace, employees' sustained engagement with these resources remained relatively low. Encouraging a growth mindset about mental health may help motivate employees to actively use these tools to support their well-being.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines whether introducing a growth mindset intervention prior to using a mental health app can improve users' repeated engagement with the app.

Conditions

• App Engagement
• Employee Health
• Mobile Apps
• Self-care Tools
• Mindsets

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Growth Mindset Intervention

This single-session growth mindset intervention consists of reading and reflective writing activities that present mental health as something that can be improved, rather than something fixed. The goal is to show that adopting a growth mindset of mental health can encourage more proactive mental health behaviors. To begin, participants will read stories of three employees who share their personal experiences navigating mental health challenges in the workplace. Each story highlights the employee's struggles, how they came to see mental health as changeable, and the steps they took to care for their well-being (e.g., practicing self-care or seeking therapy). After reading, participants will complete a short reflective essay in response to three prompts. These prompts guide them to examine their own mindset about mental health, endorse a growth mindset towards mental health, and outline specific actions they can take to proactively support their own mental well-being.

BEHAVIORAL

Digital Technology Condition

This single-session control exercise aims to encourage the use of digital technology in the workplace. It positions participants as experts who provide guidance to others on how to use digital tools more effectively at work. First, participants will read stories about employees' experiences navigating their workload with the help of workplace technology. Each story highlights the employee's initial struggles with learning new digital tools and how they eventually recognized the value of these technologies. This includes examples of how they viewed digital learning as manageable and took proactive steps-such as seeking help from colleagues or setting aside time to practice. Then, participants will complete a short reflective essay in response to three writing prompts. These prompts guide them to reflect on their own experiences with digital tools and offer practical advice to others on how to use new technologies effectively in the workplace.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National University of Singapore

  collaborator OTHER

• Intellect Pte. Ltd.

  lead INDUSTRY

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-03-13

Primary Completion

2023-09-29

Completion

2023-09-29

Countries

• Singapore

Study Locations