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Clarke, Janine; Proudfoot, Judith; Birch, Mary Rose; Whitton, Alexis E.; Parker, Gordon; Manicavasagar, Vijaya; Harrison, Virginia; Christensen, Helen and Hadzi-Pavlovic, Dusan
(2014).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-014-0272-1
Abstract
Background:
Online psychotherapy is clinically effective yet why, how, and for whom the effects are greatest remain largely unknown. In the present study, we examined whether mental health self-efficacy (MHSE), a construct derived from Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT), influenced symptom and functional outcomes of a new mobile phone and web-based psychotherapy intervention for people with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and stress.
Methods:
STUDY I: Data from 49 people with symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress in the mild-to-moderate range were used to examine the reliability and construct validity of a new measure of MHSE, the Mental Health Self-efficacy Scale (MHSES). STUDY II: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a recently completed randomised controlled trial (N = 720) to evaluate whether MHSE effected post-intervention outcomes, as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), for people with symptoms in the mild-to-moderate range.
Results:
STUDY I: The data established that the MHSES comprised a unitary factor, with acceptable internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .89) and construct validity. STUDY II: The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in MHSE at post-intervention relative to the control conditions (p’s < = .000). MHSE mediated the effects of the intervention on anxiety and stress symptoms. Furthermore, people with low pre-treatment MHSE reported the greatest post-intervention gains in depression, anxiety and overall distress. No effects were found for MHSE on work and social functioning.
Conclusion:
Mental health self-efficacy influences symptom outcomes of a self-guided mobile phone and web-based psychotherapeutic intervention and may itself be a worthwhile target to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of online treatment programs.
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 41136
- Item Type
- Journal Item
- ISSN
- 1471-244X
- Project Funding Details
-
Funded Project Name Project ID Funding Body Not Set Not Set Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Not Set 510135 National Health and Medical Research Council - Extra Information
- 10 pp.
- Keywords
- eHealth; depression; anxiety; psychological stress; self-efficacy; mobile health; intervention studies; work functioning
- Academic Unit or School
-
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Psychology and Counselling > Psychology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Psychology and Counselling
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) - Research Group
- Harm and Evidence Research Collaborative (HERC)
- Copyright Holders
- © 2014 The Authors
- Depositing User
- Virginia Harrison