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MH-POWER for College Students on the Spectrum
Empowering Autistic College Students: Mental Health Skill Building at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Who can join
Ages 18 to 30 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria * College students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley * age 18-30 years * self-reported autism diagnosis confirmed via Social Responsiveness Scale-2nd Edition, the gold standard to assess impairment in adults on the autism spectrum * elevated stress, anxiety (worry, feeling overwhelmed), or depression (feeling down), confirmed using highly reliable and validated screening tools; Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10 * not currently receiving intensive psychological treatment or psychiatric medication adjustments * must be able to speak and read English * willing to participate in an 8-week intervention study Exclusion criteria: \- None
About the study
The purpose of this project is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a mental health skill-building and empowerment program (MH-POWER) for college students on the autism spectrum facing stress, anxiety, and depression. The program, grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and habit formation, will be implemented through weekly sessions and daily practice over 8 weeks. To evaluate the program's preliminary efficacy, we will measure mental health symptoms at baseline, mid-point, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Positive outcomes could lead to scalable interventions.
What is being tested
- The MH-POWER program (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Participants: 30 · Started: Jul 1, 2026
Contact the study team
- Wen-Pin Chang, PhD · Phone: 9566656405
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07682753
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | Department of Occupational Therapy, ESWOT Building, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.