The effect of an Internet‐based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on social support in disaster evacuees

Abstract

Introduction: Both exposure to a natural disaster and psychological symptoms may lead to decreases in social support. Few studies have examined ways to improve social support among victims of natural disasters. Aims: The objective of the study was to assess emotional and tangible support following a 12-session Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) targeting posttraumatic stress (PTS), insomnia, and depression symptoms and to examine the association between posttreatment symptoms and emotional and tangible support. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-eight wildfire evacuees with significant PTS, depression and/or insomnia symptoms were given access to the ICBT. They completed questionnaires at pre-and posttreatment to measure social support and symptom severity. Results: Results show that completion of the treatment led to an improvement in emotional support. Lower posttreatment PTS and insomnia symptoms were associated with higher posttreatment emotional support.

Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Deprexis: Evaluation of a Web-Based Intervention to Decrease Depression and Restore Functioning in Veterans (Preprint)

“…The measure takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, with higher scores indicating presence of increased social support. There is evidence that perceived social support improves following internet-delivered interventions for depression [44]. The ISEL-SF has been found to be internally consistent (alpha=0.83) and has demonstrated convergent construct validity with other measures of social support (correlation coefficient=0.45).…”

Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Deprexis: Evaluation of a Computerized Intervention to Decrease Depression and Restore Functioning in Veterans (Preprint)

“…The Inventory of Interpersonal Support-Short Form (ISEL-SF) 38 is a 12-item measure assessing perceived social support across 4 subscales (1) appraisal support; the perceived availability of someone to discuss issues of personal importance, 2) tangible assets support; the perceived availability of material aid, 3) belonging support; the perceived availability of others to interact with socially, and 4) self-esteem support; the perceived availability of others with whom one compares favorably). There is evidence that perceived social support improves following internet-delivered interventions for depression 39 . The ISEL-SF has been found to be internally consistent and has high convergent construct validity.…”