Alexandria Digital Research Library

Factors Related to Preference for Online Psychological Treatments Among Active Internet Users

Author:
Duff, Robert A.
Degree Grantor:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Counseling, Clinical & School Psychology
Degree Supervisor:
Steve Smith
Place of Publication:
[Santa Barbara, Calif.]
Publisher:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Creation Date:
2015
Issued Date:
2015
Topics:
Counseling Psychology, Clinical psychology, Mental health, Web studies, and Health care management
Keywords:
Internet
Counseling
Online
Internet self-help
E-therapy
Text-based
Genres:
Online resources and Dissertations, Academic
Dissertation:
Ph.D.--University of California, Santa Barbara, 2015
Description:

Internet-based approaches to psychological treatment have risen in popularity and have been shown to be efficacious in treating a wide array of issues (McNeilly & Howard, 1991; Lipsey & Wilson, 1993). The purpose of this study was to move beyond evaluation of treatment efficacy and instead identify the factors that might be related to a preference for these non-traditional modes of treatment, which is an essential aspect of rigorous behavioral research. Using an online survey, 1404 self-reported adults in the United States provided information about demographics and Internet behavior as well as measures of personality, depression, anxiety, and attitudes toward receiving help. Finally, the participants were instructed to watch three short video vignettes depicting face-to-face therapy, online guided self-help, and text-based Internet psychotherapy before indicating their preferences for each modality. Results suggest that individuals who preferred either of the two online approaches had significantly lower extraversion, difficulty attending routine in-person meetings, more negative attitudes toward receiving help, and lower satisfaction with previous treatment than participants who preferred face-to-face therapy. It appears that there may be distinct factors that distinguish individuals with an interest in Internet-based psychological treatment from those who prefer traditional face-to-face therapy. This study begins the process of exploring the types of people that are likely to be interested in Internet-based psychological treatment.

Physical Description:
1 online resource (63 pages)
Format:
Text
Collection(s):
UCSB electronic theses and dissertations
ARK:
ark:/48907/f3qj7gsk
ISBN:
9781339471709
Catalog System Number:
990046179660203776
Rights:
Inc.icon only.dark In Copyright
Copyright Holder:
Robert Duff
File Description
Access: Public access
Duff_ucsb_0035D_12793.pdf pdf (Portable Document Format)