The aim of this ecological momentary assessment study was to explore how students' momentary levels of stress, well-being, and psychological flexibility fluctuate during an intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Fifty-nine (n ϭ 59) Canadian postsecondary students took part in this study. They were invited to participate in 5 group workshops of 2.5 hr in length and to use a smartphone application designed for ecological momentary assessment. Data collection spanned 5 consecutive weeks. Students were prompted once per day at random times between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., for a maximum of 5 times per week and 25 intended prompts. Analyses were conducted using multilevel modeling. The results show that (a) students' momentary levels of stress, well-being, and psychological flexibility did not change significantly during the intervention; (b) students' momentary psychological flexibility was associated with their momentary stress and well-being; and (c) the association between students' momentary psychological flexibility and well-being became stronger over time. The results of this within-person research study extend previous between-person studies carried out on ACT and reinforce the importance of helping postsecondary students cultivate psychological flexibility to promote their mental health. Public Significance StatementVarious colleges and universities offer interventions aimed at promoting mental health and helping students develop psychological flexibility. Results of this study suggest that these interventions are worthwhile: when students report being psychologically flexible during their day-to-day routine, they also report less stress and higher levels of well-being.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may cause significant anxiety among healthcare professionals (HCPs). COVID-19-related psychological impacts on HCPs in Western countries have received relatively little attention. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety in HCPs working in the province of Quebec (Canada) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with changes in anxiety scores. METHODS: An exploratory online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Quebec HCPs from April to July 2020. The Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure state anxiety among HCPs. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 426 HCPs completed the survey. Anxiety scores ranged from 20 to 75 points, with 80 being the highest possible value on the STAI scale. Being a female HCP [B = 5.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.49–9.3] and declaring having the intention to avoid caring for patients with COVID-19 (B = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.29–6.22) were associated with increased anxiety scores. Having more years of experience was associated with decreased anxiety scores [B = –0.2, 95% CI: –0.32–(–0.08)]. CONCLUSION: Organizational strategies aimed at preventing and relieving anxiety should target junior female HCPs who express the intention to avoid caring for patients with COVID-19. Seniority could become an important criterion in selecting frontline HCPs during pandemics. Further studies are needed to comprehensively examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian HCPs and identify evidence-based coping strategies.

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