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- Berg, Matilda, 1989-
(författare)
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Just know it : The role of explicit knowledge in internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The role of explicit, declarative knowledge in general health care and in psychotherapy is a growing field of research. In many areas of healthcare, knowledge is regarded as an important factor for successful interventions. Participants within mental-health interventions should ideally gain knowledge about their specific conditions and strategies to improve, in order to manage their problems in more helpful ways. In Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), explicit knowledge is a core feature when treating clients and educating them about their symptoms, problems and potential solutions. Still, the role of knowledge and its relation to treatment outcome within CBT treatments is unclear. CBT administered over the internet (ICBT), is mainly based on psychoeducative texts and thus provides a suitable format for an initial evaluation of explicit knowledge within a clinical research context. The role of explicit knowledge could be of particular importance in the study of younger target groups, who probably have their first treatment experience. Their knowledge gain and its use could be of importance both as separate constructs but also in relation to symptom reduction following treatment.The overarching aim of this thesis was to explore the role of explicit knowledge in internet-delivered CBT for adolescents with depression and anxiety.Study I explored the role of explicit knowledge in a randomised controlled trial with adolescents suffering from primary depression. A knowledge test was constructed and administered at pre- and post-treatment. Results showed that explicit knowledge and certainty of knowledge about depression, anxiety and CBT increased during treatment, but that these variables were unrelated to treatment outcome. Lower pre-treatment knowledge levels (certainty) however predicted greater improvement in depressive symptoms.Study II describes the procedure of developing a new knowledge test in the context of ICBT for adolescents with depression and anxiety. An explorative factor analysis was performed and resulted in a three-factor solution with the following factors: Act in aversive states, Using positive reinforcement, and Shifting attention. The procedure presented could illustrate one way of creating a test for knowledge evaluation in ICBT, but its clinical use needs to be evaluated further.In Study III, participants from a randomised controlled trial of ICBT for adolescent depression were asked about their acquired knowledge and knowledge use six months later. Qualitative methodology (thematic analysis) was used. The results showed two overarching ways that clients can remember and relate to CBT-principles after treatment; one more explicit way related to the active application of CBT principles, and another vague way of recalling treatment content and the passive usage of CBT. Both ways of recalling CBT principles were related to experiencing the treatment as helpful.Study IV evaluated the role of learning strategies and chat-sessions in ICBT for adolescents with anxiety and depression. A total of 120 adolescents were randomised to one of four treatment groups, in a 2x2 factorial design with the two factors: with or without learning support and/or chat-sessions. Overall, the results showed general reductions of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increased knowledge levels. Participants receiving learning strategies during treatment obtained more immediate benefits in treatment outcome and knowledge levels, but at six months follow-up participants without learning support had reached equal amounts of knowledge and symptom reduction. Chat-sessions did not add any effect on treatment outcome or knowledge levels.In conclusion, this thesis suggests that explicit knowledge is a construct that is independent of symptom reduction and increases during ICBT treatments for adolescents with depression and anxiety. Increased knowledge, and increased certainty of knowledge, are valuable outcomes since CBT emphasises educating clients about symptoms, therapeutic principles, and strategies that they can remember and use later on. The lack of association between explicit knowledge gain and symptom reduction could indicate that explicit knowledge is a necessary but insufficient factor for symptom reduction. Adding learning strategies within a treatment programme could be of importance for enhancing short-term treatment effects.There is a continued need for more research on the role of knowledge in ICBT, both as an outcome and as a way to improve treatment effects. The findings in this thesis however suggest that research on explicit knowledge is important to understand what makes ICBT work.
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| 2. |
- Berg, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge About Treatment, Anxiety, and Depression in Association With Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents : Development and Initial Evaluation of a New Test
- 2020
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Ingår i: SAGE Open. - : Sage Publications. - 2158-2440. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Evaluating knowledge and learning in psychotherapy is a growing field of research. Studies that develop and evaluate valid tests are lacking, however. Here, in the context of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for adolescents, a new test was developed using subject matter experts, consensus among researchers, self-reports by youths, and a literature review. An explorative factor analysis was performed on 93 adolescents between 15 and 19 years old, resulting in a three-factor solution with 20 items, accounting for 41% of the total variance. The factors were Act in aversive states, Using positive reinforcement, and Shifting attention. The internal consistency for the whole instrument was good (alpha = .84). Hopefully, the procedure presented here can contribute to the field by illustrating one way of evaluating knowledge in ICBT. The clinical use of the knowledge test needs further investigation.
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| 3. |
- Berg, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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Knowledge gain and usage of knowledge learned during internet-based CBT treatment for adolescent depression : a qualitative study
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMC Psychiatry. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-244X. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundThe role of explicit learning of treatment content in internet-based cognitive-behavioural treatment (ICBT) is an emerging field of research. The objective of this study was to explore clients experiences of their ICBT treatment for depression with a focus on knowledge gain and usage of knowledge learned during treatment.MethodsA strategic sample of ten adolescents, aged between 15 and 19 years, who had received ICBT for major depression within a clinical controlled trial were recruited for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted 6 months following trial completion. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The participants had a general adherence rate of 6–8 opened modules out of 8 possible.ResultsTwo main themes were identified; “Active agents of CBT” and “Passive agents of CBT”, with each theme consisting of three and two sub-themes. Active agents of CBT reflect a tendency to specifically remember and actively apply specific CBT principles in present life situations. Passive agents of CBT reflect a tendency to remember CBT treatment principles vaguely and express a passive or reactive usage of learned therapy content.ConclusionThe findings suggest that young clients can remember and apply CBT principles 6 months after their treatment. However, while experiencing benefits of treatment, clients recall and application of treatment strategies vary. The study emphasizes the importance of exploring client recall of CBT components and how valuable it is to explicitly remember contents of a treatment in order to improve and maintain improvement. Further studies on the role of knowledge and memory of ICBT for adolescent populations are warranted.
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| 4. |
- Berg, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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The role of knowledge in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression : Results from a randomised controlled study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier. - 2214-7829. ; 15, s. 10-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and objectivesClients' knowledge about their condition and treatment is considered crucial for general health improvement, and knowledge acquisition is an essential part in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT). Yet, little is known about the role of knowledge and how it influences treatment outcome. This study aimed to examine if explicit knowledgeincreased following ICBT for adolescent depression, if knowledge gainwould be associated with symptom reduction, and if pre-existing knowledge predicted changes in depressive symptoms.MethodsSeventy-one adolescents were randomised to a therapist-supported ICBT or a attention control condition. A measure of depression (BDI-II) and a knowledge test dealing with depression, comorbid anxiety, and its CBT-treatment were administered before and after treatment.ResultsSignificant improvements in knowledge were observed following ICBT compared to the attention control (between-group Cohen's d = 1.25, 95% CI [0.67–1.79]). On average, participants in the treatment group answered 1.4 more questions correctly at post treatment compared to the control group. No relation between change in knowledge and change in depressive symptoms could be observed. Knowledge scores at baseline were high for both groups, with participants answering approximately 75% of the questions correct. A higher level of initial knowledge level predicted poorer treatment response (Parson's r = −0.38, p = .048).ConclusionsThe findings indicate that knowledge about basic concepts and principles about depression, anxiety, and CBT increases following ICBT. This increase in knowledge was not related to change in depressive symptoms, indicating that knowledge is a different construct. The results also suggest that clients who are more knowledgeable prior to treatment might benefit less from ICBT. In sum, the results highlight the need to further examine the role of knowledge in ICBT.
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| 5. |
- Berg, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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The Role of Learning Support and Chat-Sessions in Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents With Anxiety: A Factorial Design Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-0640. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Increased awareness of anxiety in adolescents emphasises the need for effective interventions. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) could be a resource-effective and evidence-based treatment option, but little is known about how to optimize ICBT or which factors boost outcomes. Recently, the role of knowledge in psychotherapy has received increased focus. Further, chat-sessions are of interest when trying to optimize ICBT for youths. This study aimed to evaluate the role of learning support and chat-sessions during ICBT for adolescent anxiety, using a factorial design. Method A total of 120 adolescents were randomised to one of four treatment groups, in a 2x2 design with two factors: with or without learning support and/or chat-sessions. Results Anxiety and depressive symptoms were reduced (Beck Anxiety Inventory- BAI; Cohensd=0.72; Beck Depression Inventory- BDI;d=0.97). There was a main effect of learning support on BAI (d=0.38), and learning support increased knowledge gain (d =0.42). There were no main effects or interactions related to the chat-sessions. Treatment effects were maintained at 6-months, but the added effect of learning support had by then vanished. Conclusion ICBT can be an effective alternative when treating adolescents with anxiety. Learning support could be of importance to enhance short-term treatment effects, and should be investigated further.
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| 6. |
- Zetterberg, Molly, et al.
(författare)
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Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy of perfectionism : Comparing regular therapist support and support upon request
- 2019
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-7829. ; 17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Perfectionism may be a clinically relevant problem on its own or as part of the etiology and maintenance of psychiatric disorders, e.g., anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders. Cognitive behavior therapyhas been shown to be a promising treatment for managing perfectionism and its associated problems, including when being administered via the Internet, i.e., Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). In the current study, seventy-eight self-referred participants underwent ICBT after an initial eight-week wait-list period, i.e., second wave of treatment. These were randomized to receive regular support from a therapist (ICBT-support) or ICBT with support on request (ICBT-request), in an eight-week treatment of perfectionism. Assessments of perfectionism were made at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, as well as six-month follow-up, using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, subscale Concern over Mistakes. Mixed effects models revealed large symptom reductions for both conditions; Concern over Mistakes, Cohen's d = 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.85, 1.95] for ICBT-support, and d = 1.00, 95% CI [0.51, 1.47] for ICBT-request. The effects were maintained at six-month follow-up and there were no differences between the conditions in terms of the results, opened modules, or completed exercises. A total of 28 out of 70 participants (42.4%; ICBT-support, 37.8%; ICBT-request) were classified as improved at post-treatment. Both types of ICBT may thus be beneficial in treating perfectionism, suggesting that just having the opportunity to ask for support from a therapist, when regular support is not provided, could be sufficient for many participants undergoing ICBT. However, the study was underpowered to detect differences between the conditions. The lack of a cutoff also makes it difficult to differentiate a dysfunctional from a functional population in terms of perfectionism. In addition, the study design could have affected the participants' motivational level from start, given their initial eight-week wait-list period. Recommendations for future studies include recruiting a larger sample size, a clearer cutoff for perfectionism, and the use of a non-inferiority test with a predetermined margin of change.
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