The current study focused on the future orientation of students with low mental wellbeing and the effectivity of the smartphone-based FutureU-intervention. FutureU intended to stimulate the...Show moreThe current study focused on the future orientation of students with low mental wellbeing and the effectivity of the smartphone-based FutureU-intervention. FutureU intended to stimulate the development of a future- oriented mindset and goal attainment by strengthening people’s ability and motivation to consider their future. The aims of the study were to examine if FutureU was an effective intervention to improve students’ future orientation and mental wellbeing, and to identify if and how self-efficacy mediated the effect of the intervention on future orientation. First-year students (N=166) were randomly assigned to two conditions: 1) the smartphone-based intervention FutureU, or (2) a goal-setting control group. The intervention consisted of three week-long modules, data was collected at the start of the intervention and directly after the intervention. With a median split, the group was divided into two groups based on mental wellbeing. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the future-orientation of students with low mental wellbeing compared to those with high mental wellbeing post-intervention. There were no significant differences between the future orientation of students with low mental wellbeing who received the intervention compared to the students in de control group. Self-efficacy did not mediate the effectivity of the intervention on future orientation of students with low mental wellbeing. The wellbeing of students with low metal well-being who received the intervention did not improve significantly more than that of students with low mental wellbeing in de control group. This study will help clarify why the intervention was not effective in the way that was expected and how it did lead to improving mental health but not future orientation. Future research should further examine the working elements of the intervention in order to develop a future-oriented mindset.Show less
