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- Käll, Anton, 1992-
(författare)
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Internet-based interventions for loneliness : Efficacy and latent psychopathological profiles of treatment seekers
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Loneliness is an adverse emotional reaction thought to stem from an unwanted and impoverished social situation. Though it commonly makes brief appearances across the lifespan for most people, it has received increasing attention as a factor relevant to somatic and psychological well-being when assuming a more chronic form. For this reason, developing ways of alleviating loneliness is an important item on the research agenda tied to this phenomenon. Psychological interventions, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in particular, have been proposed to have potential for this. This thesis sought to evaluate the effects of two different kinds of internet-based interventions targeting loneliness: one based on CBT, and one based on interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT).In addition to this general aim, Study I also investigated the presence of different subgroups in the sample of people seeking help within the framework of projects. Using the statistical method known as Latent Profile Analysis we discovered five profiles consisting of symptoms of common psychiatric disorders and loneliness. The profiles mainly differed as a function of symptom severity, though one of the larger groups was also characterised primarily by their high ratings of social anxiety. The results suggest that the sample seeking help for their loneliness can exhibit both clinical and non-clinical levels of common mental health problems.Study II served as the pilot evaluation of an ICBT programme for loneliness. A total of 73 participants were included in a randomised controlled trial where the participants were randomised to either 8 weeks of active treatment or a wait-list control group. The results indicated significantly lower loneliness ratings after the treatment phase for the ICBT condition with a moderate-to-large effect size compared to the control group. Significant differences favouring the ICBT condition were also noted for two of the four secondary measures.Study III followed up on the participants two years after the conclusion of the initial treatment period. At this point, the control group had also received access to a version of the ICBT programme with therapist support on-demand. The results indicated that the decrease in loneliness was sustained, along with similarly lasting effects on the secondary outcomes of interest.Study IV aimed to replicate the findings from the second study with a similar ICBT programme. However, this study also employed an internet-based IPT intervention to allow for conclusions regarding the possibility of reducing loneliness by other means than CBT. A sample of 170 participants were recruited and randomised to one the treatment conditions or to a waitlist control group. The results indicated that the ICBT condition had a significantly steeper reduction in loneliness than both the waitlist and the IPT condition after the conclusion of the treatment. Both active conditions produced a significant increase in quality of life.In conclusion, internet-based psychological interventions can be efficacious for reducing loneliness, though the efficacy was only found for participants who received access to the ICBT condition in Study II and IV. The benefits from this treatment programme were sustained up to two years after the conclusion of the intervention. For these reasons, ICBT is proposed to be a good candidate for offering help to people experiencing distressing feelings of loneliness.
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- Rozental, Alexander, et al.
(författare)
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Reconsidering Perfect : A Qualitative Study of The Experiences of Undergoing Internet-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 9th World Congress of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies. - Tübingen : dgvt-Verlag. - 9783871598517 ; , s. 233-233
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is a promising format for treating different psychiatric disorders. In addition, several clinical trials have found positive results for implementing transdiagnostic treatments via the Internet, as well as for using ICBT to target transdiagnostic processes, such as perfectionism. However, few qualitative studies have been conducted on the experiences of patients undergoing such treatments, making it unclear what aspects might facilitate or hinder their delivery. In the current study, patients completing twelve-week therapist-guided ICBT for perfectionism responded to open-ended questions at post-treatment. In total, 30 out of 62 (48.4%) rated the ease of understanding and completing the treatment program, as well as described their impressions of its content and the support provided by their therapist. The results were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Overall, patients were satisfied, finding treatment easy to comprehend and use. Five themes were found in the responses; Learning how to do things differently, Noticing the positives, Feeling safe to be honest, A comfortable treatment format and Barriers to treatment. The results suggest that many patients were able to achieve a change in perspective in relation to their perfectionism and started facing their fears. They were also able to report the benefits of doing things differently as part of treatment, such as an improvement in their interpersonal relationships. Most patients were also positive about the treatment format, enjoying its flexibility and the encouragement offered by their therapist. However, obstacles such as conflicting commitments, personal difficulties, time-consuming and comprehensive modules, and a desire for more support were brought up by some, suggesting that there are aspects that could be considered in the future.
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- Wade, Tracey, et al.
(författare)
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Internet-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism : More is Better but no Need to Be Prescriptive
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 9th World Congress of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies. - Tübingen : dgvt-Verlag. - 9783871598517 ; , s. 233-233
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Two sequential randomized internet ICBT for perfectionism (ICBT-P) studies were conducted with participants who self-identified as having difficulties with perfectionism; in the first participants (N=51) received 3-module ICBT-P or wait-list, and in the second participants (N=55) received fixed (asked to complete all 8 modules two per week over 4-weeks) or flexible format (after completing the first psychoeducational module, participants decided how many/in what order they completed the modules). We examined impact on our primary variables, perfectionistic concerns and standards, and secondary outcomes of negative affect, body image flexibility, and self-efficacy. First, while use of a 3 to 8 module intervention reliably decreased perfectionism, it appears that more modules are required in order to impact secondary outcomes, such as negative affect and body image. Second, there is no difference in impact when a fixed or flexible approach to the intervention (i.e., order and number of modules to be completed) is adopted. This suggests we can offer a patient-centred approach to ICBTP that is effective, while suggesting completion of more modules can result in larger, more pervasive improvements.
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