Understanding the acceptability of e-mental health--attitudes and expectations towards computerised self-help treatments for mental health problems

Peter Musiat, Philip Goldstone, Nicholas Tarrier, Peter Musiat, Philip Goldstone, Nicholas Tarrier

Abstract

Background: E-mental health and m-mental health include the use of technology in the prevention, treatment and aftercare of mental health problems. With the economical pressure on mental health services increasing, e-mental health and m-mental health could bridge treatment gaps, reduce waiting times for patients and deliver interventions at lower costs. However, despite the existence of numerous effective interventions, the transition of computerised interventions into care is slow. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acceptability of e-mental health and m-mental health in the general population.

Methods: An advisory group of service users identified dimensions that potentially influence an individual's decision to engage with a particular treatment for mental health problems. A large sample (N = 490) recruited through email, flyers and social media was asked to rate the acceptability of different treatment options for mental health problems on these domains. Results were analysed using repeated measures MANOVA.

Results: Participants rated the perceived helpfulness of an intervention, the ability to motivate users, intervention credibility, and immediate access without waiting time as most important dimensions with regard to engaging with a treatment for mental health problems. Participants expected face-to-face therapy to meet their needs on most of these dimensions. Computerised treatments and smartphone applications for mental health were reported to not meet participants' expectations on most domains. However, these interventions scored higher than face-to-face treatments on domains associated with the convenience of access. Overall, participants reported a very low likelihood of using computerised treatments for mental health in the future.

Conclusions: Individuals in this study expressed negative views about computerised self-help intervention and low likelihood of use in the future. To improve the implementation and uptake, policy makers need to improve the public perception of such interventions.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Importance and expectations towards different mental health treatment options.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Likelihood of use for face-to-face therapy and self-help interventions.

References

    1. Mayo-Wilson E, Montgomery P. Media-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy and behavioural therapy (self-help) for anxiety disorders in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;9:CD005330.
    1. Richards D, Richardson T. Computer-based psychological treatments for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32(4):329–342. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.02.004.
    1. Beintner I, Jacobi C, Taylor CB. Effects of an internet‒based prevention programme for eating disorders in the USA and Germany—a meta‒analytic review. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2012;20(1):1–8. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.635557.
    1. Riper H, Spek V, Boon B, Conijn B, Kramer J, Martin-Abello K, Smit F. Effectiveness of E-Self-help interventions for curbing adult problem drinking: a meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2011;13:2. doi: 10.2196/jmir.1639.
    1. Hesser H, Gustafsson T, Lunden C, Henrikson O, Fattahi K, Johnsson E, Andersson G. A randomized controlled trial of internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of tinnitus. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2012. doi:10.1037/a0027021.
    1. Everitt HA, Moss-Morris RE, Sibelli A, Tapp L, Coleman NS, Yardley L, Little PS. Management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care: feasibility randomised controlled trial of mebeverine, methylcellulose, placebo and a patient self-management cognitive behavioural therapy website. (MIBS trial) BMC Gastroenterol. 2010;10:136. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-10-136. doi:10.1186/1471-230x-10-136.
    1. Whitfield G, Williams C. If the evidence is so good–why doesn't anyone use them? A national survey of the use of computerized cognitive behaviour therapy. Behav Cogn Psychother. 2004;32(01):57–65. doi: 10.1017/S1352465804001031.
    1. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Depression in adults: The treatment and management of depression in adults. CG90. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; 2009.
    1. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) in adults. CG113. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; 2011.
    1. Andersson G, Cuijpers P. Pros and cons of online cognitive-behavioural therapy. Br J Psychiatry. 2008;193(4):270–271. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.054080. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.108.054080.
    1. Cuijpers P, van Straten A, Andersson G. Internet-administered cognitive behavior therapy for health problems: a systematic review. J Behav Med. 2008;31(2):169–177. doi: 10.1007/s10865-007-9144-1. doi:10.1007/s10865-007-9144-1.
    1. Lauder S, Chester A, Berk M. Net-effect? Online psychological interventions. Acta Neuropsychiatrica. 2007;19(6):386–388. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5215.2007.00261.x.
    1. Wootton BM, Titov N, Dear BF, Spence J, Kemp A. The acceptability of Internet-based treatment and characteristics of an adult sample with obsessive compulsive disorder: an Internet survey. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20548. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020548. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020548.
    1. Musiat P, Tarrier N. Collateral outcomes in e-mental health: a systematic review of the evidence for added benefits of computerized cognitive behavior therapy interventions for mental health. Psychol Med. 2014. pp. 1–14. doi:10.1017/S0033291714000245.
    1. Kaltenthaler E, Sutcliffe P, Parry G, Beverley C, Rees A, Ferrite M. The acceptability to patients of computerized cognitive behaviour therapy for depression: a systematic review. Psychol Med. 2008;38(11):1521–1530. doi: 10.1017/S0033291707002607.
    1. Melville KM, Casey LM, Kavanagh DJ. Dropout from Internet-based treatment for psychological disorders. Br J Clin Psychol. 2010;49:455–471. doi: 10.1348/014466509X472138.
    1. Waller R, Gilbody S. Barriers to the uptake of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy: a systematic review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence. Psychol Med. 2009;39(5):705–712. doi: 10.1017/S0033291708004224. doi:10.1017/s0033291708004224.
    1. Hind D, O’Cathain A, Cooper CL, Parry GD, Isaac CL, Rose A, Sharrack B. The acceptability of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in people with chronic physical disease: a qualitative study of people with multiple sclerosis. Psychol Health. 2010;25(6):699–712. doi: 10.1080/08870440902842739. doi:10.1080/08870440902842739.
    1. Gun SY, Titov N, Andrews G. Acceptability of Internet treatment of anxiety and depression. Australas Psychiatry. 2011;19(3):259–264. doi: 10.3109/10398562.2011.562295.
    1. Carper MM, McHugh RK, Barlow DH. The dissemination of computer-based psychological treatment: a preliminary analysis of patient and clinician perceptions. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2013;40(2):87–95. doi: 10.1007/s10488-011-0377-5. doi:10.1007/s10488-011-0377-5.
    1. Beattie A, Shaw A, Kaur S, Kessler D. Primary-care patients’ expectations and experiences of online cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: a qualitative study. Health Expect. 2009;12(1):45–59. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2008.00531.x. doi:10.1111/j.1369-7625.2008.00531.x.
    1. Proudfoot JG. Computer-based treatment for anxiety and depression: is it feasible? Is it effective? Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2004;28(3):353–363. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.03.008. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.03.008.
    1. Young KS. An empirical examination of client attitudes towards online counseling. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2005;8(2):172–177. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2005.8.172. doi:10.1089/cpb.2005.8.172.
    1. Ennis L, Rose D, Denis M, Pandit N, Wykes T. Can’t surf, won't surf: The digital divide in mental health. J Ment Health. 2012;21(4):395–403. doi: 10.3109/09638237.2012.689437. doi:10.3109/09638237.2012.689437.
    1. eMarketer. Nearly Half of UK Consumers Will Use Smartphones This Year. 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from .
    1. Hedman E, Andersson G, Ljotsson B, Andersson E, Ruck C, Mortberg E, Lindefors N. Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy vs. cognitive behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. PLoS One. 2011;6(3):e18001. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018001. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018001.
    1. Pleva J, Wade TD. Guided self-help versus pure self-help for perfectionism: a randomised controlled trial. Behav Res Ther. 2007;45(5):849–861. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2006.08.009. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2006.08.009.

Source: PubMed

스폰서 및 공동 작업자

건강 상태

약물 개입

3
구독하다