Managing Emotion is a free online program created by researchers from the enAble Institute at Curtin University, in consultation with psychologists in Western Australia and Stanford University. It has been developed as part of a wider research initiative aimed at improving student mental health at university campuses in Australia and internationally. 
Background
Studying at university can be an exciting time, filled with new challenges and opportunities, new friendships formed, and excitement about what the future holds. However, it can also be an incredibly stressful time with changes in social circles, relationship concerns, uncertainty about future employment, financial concerns, and academic pressures. Perhaps not surprisingly, rates of mental health concerns are elevated among university students relative to the general population. The ability to regulate emotional states is an important coping skill that can help reduce the negative impact of stress on our mental health, physical health, and studies.
To address growing concerns about student mental wellbeing, while recognising that not all students may need or wish to access mental health services during stressful times, we designed Managing Emotion to briefly teach students how to better understand and regulate emotions. It consists of five modules that progressively introduce and discuss strategies for regulating emotion, which are based on Gross’ Process Model of Emotion Regulation and cognitive behavioural principles. Additionally, we have included content designed to bolster self-efficacy (i.e. the belief we have in our own abilities), which was drawn from a mix of compassion-focused and goal-setting approaches.
“The Managing Emotion program is terrific! It is a scalable science-based way to introduce students to the concepts and skills needed for effective emotion regulation. Presented in a digestible format, it gives students essential skills that they can apply in their everyday lives to enhance their wellbeing. I’d like to see all students have access to this valuable resource!”
Research Updates
Two pilot studies of Managing Emotion conducted in 2020 and 2021 have shown student improvement in emotion regulation skills, self-efficacy, resilience, and reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and self-injury. Feedback from these pilot studies have also been used to help refine the content and usability of the program.
Study Flowchart for a RCT of Managing Emotion.
As part of this project, a larger study of the Managing Emotion program is now being conducted. Curtin University students are being invited to take part in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Managing Emotions, and will be allocated to either the treatment group where they will complete the Managing Emotion program or a waitlist controlled group. They will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment, and 1 month follow-up. We will update this page with the results of the study when they become available 😊
Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has approved this study (HREC number HRE2019-0822). Should you wish to discuss the study with someone not directly involved, in particular that of any matters concerning the conduct of the study or your rights as a participant, or you wish to make a confidential complaint, you may contact the Ethics Officer on (08) 9266 9223 or the Manager, Research Integrity on (08) 9266 7093 or email hrec@curtin.edu.au.
Publications
Hasking, P., Chen, N. T. M., Chiu, V., Gray, N., Gross, J., & Boyes, M. E. (in press). ‘Managing Emotion’: Open label and waitlist controlled trial of an emotion regulation program for university students. Journal of American College Health. Available from psyarxiv.com/huc9m
Funding & Acknowledgements
This research program has been supported by funding from Curtin University (Curtin Alumini Healthy Futures – Student Mental Health initiative), The Raine Medical Research Foundation (2021 Cockell Research Collaboration Award), and Government of Western Australia Department of Health.
