Satisfaction with therapist-delivered vs. self-administered online cognitive behavioural treatments for depression symptoms in college students

Abstract

Participants with symptoms of depression received either eight sessions of therapist-delivered email cognitive behaviour therapy (eCBT; n=37), or eight sessions of computerised CBT self-administered treatment (cCBT; n=43). At post-treatment participants completed a questionnaire to determine what they found satisfying about their online treatment. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was employed to report outcomes. A sample of 25 participants(eCBT n=10; cCBT n=15) completed the satisfaction questionnaire. Both groups were satisfied with accessing and using an online treatment and that they had self-control over their treatment. Perceived anonymity was important for the eCBT group. For the cCBT group they found the treatment user-friendly, engaging and also a source of learning. Both groups disliked that the online treatment could at times be complicated and impersonal.

Keywords:

• online treatments for depression
• satisfaction with treatment
• depression
• qualitative analysis

Acknowledgements

Thanks to ESB Electric Aid, the Health Service Executive Innovation Fund and the National Office for Suicide Prevention for funding this study. Thanks to the many staff members of the Counselling Service at Trinity College who made contributions to this study, and a special thanks to Betty Gleeson and Orla McLoughlin. Thanks to all the participants who obliged themselves to participate in the study.