Feasibility and Acceptability of Transdiagnostic Digital Single-Session Interventions for Emotional Disorders in Adolescents

Abstract

Background Youth emotional disorders represent a critical global health challenge, constituting a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the significant need, systemic barriers severely limit treatment access. Digital, self-guided single-session interventions (SSIs) have emerged as a promising solution to address these accessibility challenges while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.Objective This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of two digital SSIs systematically adapted from core techniques in the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A) and other behavioral treatments for anxiety and depression in youth.Method This single-arm pilot study (NCT06213142) recruited a non-clinical sample of 55 adolescents (ages 13–17) with elevated internalizing symptoms through social media. Participants completed two approximately 30-minute digital modules focusing on awareness of emotions and flexible thinking. Outcomes were assessed using the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), knowledge assessments, and comprehensive user experience measures.Results Both digital modules demonstrated robust user acceptability and intervention feasibility. User feedback consistently revealed high satisfaction across multiple evaluation domains, with mean ratings exceeding 4 on a 5-point Likert scale among treatment completers. Participants experienced statistically significant knowledge gains across both modules. The Awareness of Emotions module showed knowledge improvement from 53.92% to 68.58% (p < .001), and the Flexible Thinking module progressed from 48.83% to 62.13% (p < .001). However, the study did not support the preliminary efficacy of the program in terms of symptom measures. While Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed statistically significant reductions in RCADS scores from pre-intervention (M = 10.71, SD = 4.00) to 2-week follow-up (M = 10.17, SD = 3.84), V = 464.5, p = .004, the absolute change was minimal (0.54 points). Reliable Change Index analysis confirmed that no participants (0%) demonstrated clinically meaningful symptom improvement, indicating that statistical significance did not translate to clinical significance.Conclusions This study provides preliminary feasibility and acceptability evidence supporting the systematic adaptation of core techniques from established transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral protocols into accessible digital, self-guided single-session interventions. Careful consideration of measures used to assess clinical change and adjustments to increase intervention potency may be needed. The findings demonstrate the potential for creating digital mental health tools that maintain user engagement while addressing accessibility barriers in youth mental health service delivery.

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