The Effectiveness of Online Interpretation Bias Modification on Coping Strategies in College Students With Type D Personality

Background: Individuals with Type D personality typically employ maladaptive coping strategies, particularly in ambiguous situations, which may exacerbate their psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online interpretation bias modification intervention on improving coping strategies among college students with Type D personality. Methods: This study was conducted within a positivist paradigm using a quantitative approach. The target population comprised students from Persian Gulf University. A total of 84 students identified with Type D personality, as measured by Type D Personality Scale, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The Coping Strategy Questionnaire was used to assess coping strategies. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of an Android application-based interpretation bias modification over a period of 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results indicate that ten sessions of the online interpretation bias modification significantly improved coping strategies among students with Type D personality ( p < .0001). Specifically, the intervention significantly increased positive adaptation, problem-solving, emotional support seeking, and self-regulation while significantly decreasing withdrawal and disengagement behaviors ( p < .0001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that online interpretation bias modification is effective on enhancing coping strategies among Type D personality college students. These findings suggest its potential utility for psychologists and mental health professionals.