Not yet recruitingInterventional

Trial investigating the effects of a brief online uncertainty tolerance training for young people

This research is testing an online program called 'Uncertainty-Mindset Training' (UMT) for young people aged 18-24. Many young adults face increased worries, sometimes due to the many unsure things in life. This study wants to see if UMT, a short online course, can help them feel less anxious and generally better at dealing with these uncertainties. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the UMT program or a different online training. Over three months, the study will check if UMT helps improve how they cope and feel. This research could help us find new ways to support young people with their mental well-being.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

Enrolment target

388

Start

08 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

08 Jul 2026

Reduction of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety symptoms in an unselected population (i.e., with or without a psychiatric condition).

What is this study about?

Life for young people today comes with many unknowns, and sometimes, this can lead to feeling worried or anxious. Researchers are looking into whether a simple online program can help young adults aged 18-24 better manage their feelings about these unsure situations. The study is called the 'Uncertainty-Mindset Training' (UMT), and it's designed to help people become more comfortable with not knowing everything.

This study will compare the UMT program with another general online training program. Participants will be randomly given one of these programs to complete. The researchers will then check in with them over three months to see if the UMT program helps reduce worries or improves how they handle uncertainty compared to the other training. The aim is to understand if this kind of brief online support could be a useful tool for young people.

The findings from this study are important because if UMT proves helpful, it could offer a new, accessible way to support the mental well-being of young adults. It could teach them valuable skills for dealing with life's unpredictable moments, potentially leading to less stress and anxiety in general.

Key takeaways

This study is for young adults aged 18-24.
It tests an online program to help manage anxiety and uncertainty.
Participation involves online training and questionnaires over three months.
You won't have to visit any clinics; everything is done remotely.
Your involvement could help improve future mental health support for young people.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young people between 18 and 24 years old. You'll need to be fluent in English and not have a history of certain health conditions like a serious head injury, seizures (epilepsy), or learning difficulties.

Participants are being recruited through an online platform called Prolific. To be eligible, you'd need to have a good track record on Prolific (95-100% approval rate for past studies) and have completed at least 20 other studies there. You also can't have taken part in similar studies run by this same research team before.

Finally, you must live in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, or South Africa to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 24 years old?
Do you speak English fluently as your first language?
Have you ever had a serious head injury, seizures, or learning difficulties?
Do you live in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, or South Africa?
Do you have a good approval rating on Prolific (95-100%) and have completed at least 20 studies there?
Have you participated in other studies by the University of Cambridge research team recently?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will involve four main parts over about three months. In the very first part, you'll complete some questionnaires and a task where you make choices. Right after that, you'll be randomly assigned to either the 'Uncertainty-Mindset Training' or a different online training program, and you'll complete one of these. Then, you'll fill out more questionnaires.

Two weeks later, you'll complete another set of questionnaires and the decision-making task again. Then, one month and three months after your first session, you'll be asked to complete a final set of questionnaires. All parts of this study are completed online.

Potential risks and benefits

There's no guarantee that participating in this study will directly benefit you, and you might not feel better or different. However, the training programs could teach you new things about how your mind works, and your participation will certainly help researchers better understand how to support others in the future. On the other hand, there's a small chance that thinking about your experiences or completing the questionnaires might make you feel a bit down or distressed. If this happens, you can skip any questions you don't want to answer, and you're free to leave the study at any point without needing to give a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
Unverified
Cambridge, England

Common questions

What is 'Uncertainty-Mindset Training'?

It's a short online program designed to help young adults feel more comfortable and less worried about uncertain situations in life.

Will I have to go anywhere for this study?

No, all parts of this study, including the training and questionnaires, are done online from your own home.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be involved for about three months in total, with activities at the start, after two weeks, after one month, and after three months.

Do I get paid for taking part?

The information provided doesn't specify payment, but studies on platforms like Prolific usually offer a small payment for your time. You would need to check the study details on Prolific.

Who is running this study?

The study is being run by researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

How to find out more

Sarah Daniels

Sarah.Daniels@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk +44 01223 767529 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.