It’s very important that scientists evaluate the effects of any intervention, whether it’s medicine, talking therapy or a digital intervention. The best method for doing this is using a randomized controlled trial.

The following RCTs have shown that SSIs can help young people manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, such as low mood and worries.

Randomized trials of SSIs for youth depression and anxiety

A randomized controlled trial comparing brief online self-guided interventions for loneliness. Kaveladze BT, Gastelum SF, Ngo DC, Delacruz P, Cohen KA, Käll A, Andersson G, Schleider JL, Schueller SM. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2025 Jan;93(1):54-63. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000908. Epub 2024 Sep 26. PMID: 39325409 Clinical Trial.

Linguistic distancing predicts response to a digital single-session intervention for adolescent depression. Cohen KA, Shroff A, Nook EC, Schleider JL. Behav Res Ther. 2022 Dec;159:104220. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104220. Epub 2022 Oct 20. PMID: 36323056 Clinical Trial.

A randomized trial of online single-session interventions for adolescent depression during COVID-19. Schleider JL, Mullarkey MC, Fox KR, Dobias ML, Shroff A, Hart EA, Roulston CA. Nat Hum Behav. 2022 Feb;6(2):258-268. doi: 10.1038/s41562-021-01235-0. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PMID: 34887544 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

An online, single-session intervention for adolescent self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: Results from a randomized trial. Dobias ML, Schleider JL, Jans L, Fox KR. Behav Res Ther. 2021 Dec;147:103983. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103983. Epub 2021 Oct 7. PMID: 34688102 Clinical Trial.

Promoting Treatment Access Following Pediatric Primary Care Depression Screening: Randomized Trial of Web-Based, Single-Session Interventions for Parents and Youths. Schleider JL, Dobias M, Fassler J, Shroff A, Pati S. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020 Jun;59(6):770-773. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.01.025. Epub 2020 Apr 28. PMID: 32666919 Clinical Trial. No abstract available.

Randomized Trial of a Single-Session Growth Mind-Set Intervention for Rural Adolescents’ Internalizing and Externalizing Problems. Schleider JL, Burnette JL, Widman L, Hoyt C, Prinstein MJ. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2020 Sep-Oct;49(5):660-672. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2019.1622123. Epub 2019 Jun 20. PMID: 31219698 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

A single-session growth mindset intervention for adolescent anxiety and depression: 9-month outcomes of a randomized trial. Schleider J, Weisz J. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018 Feb;59(2):160-170. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12811. Epub 2017 Sep 18. PMID: 28921523 Clinical Trial.

Reducing risk for anxiety and depression in adolescents: Effects of a single-session intervention teaching that personality can change. Schleider JL, Weisz JR. Behav Res Ther. 2016 Dec;87:170-181. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.09.011. Epub 2016 Sep 26. PMID: 27697671 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.