Low adherence can lead to poor outcomes in self-guided (i.e., self-administered) internet interventions that is psychological programs designed to improve mental health. One modifiable personal factor that may improve adherence is context-specific self-efficacy. In this two-arm randomized controlled trial, participants (medical students, N = 720) will undergo an internet intervention called Med-Stress Student designed to enhance resources such as self-efficacy to cope with stress and perceived social support. In the experimental group, Med-Stress Student will be preceded by an exercise designed to boost self-efficacy to adhere to this internet intervention. In the control condition, participants will only access Med-Stress Student. Conditions will be compared on adherence as well as on the intervention outcomes (i.e., job stress and work engagement) at posttest, and at six-month, and one-year follow-ups.
Low adherence in self-guided internet interventions might lead to worse outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to test whether adherence can be improved if self-efficacy regarding adherence to internet interventions is boosted before the intervention starts. It is expected that enhancing this specific type of self-efficacy will increase people's adherence and help them fully benefit from the intervention, namely experience lower job stress and higher work engagement.