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Background.
Practicum in social work is intensive, and trainees’ mindsets shape learning experiences. We developed an AI-assisted Design intervention named Web-based Single-session Intervention of Mindsets on Intelligence, Failure, and Emotion (We-SMILE) and have examined its acceptability and efficacy on reducing practicum-related anxiety with a pilot study in 2024. We aimed to examine its effectiveness in a larger-scale randomized controlled trial. We hypothesize that 1) We-SMILE is more effective in reducing anxiety related to practicum among social work a trainees compared to the training as usual(TAU) group (primary outcome) and 2) secondary outcomes, including (1)relieving depression, anxiety, and stress; (2) improving psychological well-being; (3) enhancing learning orientation; and (4) increasing academic self-efficacy and confidence related to practicum compared with the TAU group.
Materials and Methods.
Participants are recruited from social work programs in eight universities in Hong Kong with a two-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomly allocated to the We-SMILE or training-as-usual (TAU) group. The outcomes will be measured by validated items and scales on anxiety, mindsets, psychological well-being, and the Failure Mindset Scale. Participants are surveyed online at pre- (T0), post-intervention (T1), two-week (T2), and eight-week (T3) follow-ups. Recruitment has started in September 2025 during social work pre-practicum briefing sessions. Data collection were completed by the end of 2025. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis principle and linear regression–based maximum likelihood multilevel models will be used for data analysis.
Results.
Totally, 270 social work practicum trainees from eight universities participated the trial and were randomly assigned to We-SMILE or TAU group via intervention system. Comparing to the TAU group, the We-SMILE intervention significantly reduced the anxiety about practicum and learning, stress level, and enhanced the confidence, resilient coping and mastery-learning orientation in two-week and eight-week follow-ups. The AI animated design and co-production methods made the intervention engaging and sustained effects of We-SMILE.
Conclusion
Integrated growth mindset intervention is effective in reducing practicum-related anxiety and enhancing confidence in social work practicum trainee. Web-based single session psycho-education mode is a scalable and user-friendly way to provide intervention for students in need efficiently. Using AI-animation and co-production for development of single-session intervention is a promising way for producing engaging intervention for social work education. We also share the experience in design and implementation of AI-Assisted Design for web-based interventions for future studies.