Cognitive-based Acceptance and Motivational Program (CAMP) Targeting Intolerance of Uncertainty among College Students during the Pandemic: A Pilot Study

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Martin Varghese Kallarackal and Clarissa F. Delariarte (Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines)

College students across the world struggle with the unprecedented stress during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The existing psychological issues of college students were accentuated by facing the uncertain features of the Pandemic like uncertainty about their college life, their future, and their health. Intolerance of uncertainty is identified as the broad dispositional, vulnerable and maintenance factor for the emotional irregularities and the heightened psychological distress of student population during the Pandemic. Considering the need for the psychological interventions during and the post Pandemic, the present study aimed to develop and examine the feasibility and usability of the Cognitive-based Acceptance and Motivational Program (CAMP) for reducing intolerance of uncertainty and thereby reducing the psychological distress among the college students. CAMP was designed on the basis of the principles and techniques of intolerance of uncertainty theory, acceptance and commitment therapy, and self-determination theory. The researchers’ developed intervention was subjected to expert validation of six disciplinary experts and a pilot study was conducted for 10 college students with a moderate level of psychological distress and a moderate level of intolerance of uncertainty. The statistical analysis of the quantitative findings of the pilot study and the feedback of the participants revealed that the CAMP is an effective psychological intervention for reducing intolerance of uncertainty and psychological distress among college students and is suitable for a randomized controlled trial.