Virtual reality in Metaverse for future mental health-helping profession: an alternative solution to the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ifdil, Ifdil; Situmorang, Dominikus David Biondi; Firman, Firman; Zola, Nilma; Rangka, Itsar Bolo; Fadli, Rima Pratiwi

doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdac049

Cited by 48 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Given recent advances in technology, the metaverse has been transformed from a science fiction idea into a reality [ 28 ]. Because of its seemingly limitless possibilities, the metaverse is gaining attention across many fields including the mental health field [ 29 ]. Using the metaverse has the potential to improve the accessibility and affordability of mental health interventions while maintaining their fidelity and (most importantly) their efficacy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptom Change in Cognitive Behavioral Immersion: Observational Study

Ezawa¹,

Hollon²,

Robinson³

2023

JMIR Ment Health

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Background Depressive and anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders, and there is a critical need for effective, affordable, and accessible interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Immersion (CBI) is a novel group-based cognitive behavioral skills training program delivered by lay coaches in the metaverse that can be accessed through various modalities including virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays or flat-screen devices. Combining its ability to offer empirically supported therapy skills in a digital setting that can still facilitate interpersonal variables (eg, working alliance and sense of social support) with the aid of lay coaches, CBI has the potential to help fill this critical need. Objective This study had 2 primary aims. First, we aimed to examine changes in depression and anxiety symptoms in a sample of individuals who participated in CBI. Second, we aimed to examine 2 interpersonal process variables (working alliance and web-based social support) as predictors of symptom changes. We predicted CBI participants would experience depression and anxiety symptom improvements and that such improvements would be associated with an increase in both interpersonal process variables. Methods The study sample consists of 127 participants who endorsed clinical levels of depression or anxiety symptoms during their first CBI session and attended at least 2 sessions. Participants were asked to complete self-report measures of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alliance, and web-based social support throughout their participation in CBI. Results Repeated measures ANOVAs determined that depression and anxiety symptom scores differed significantly across sessions (Ps<.01). We also found participants’ web-based social support predicted improvement in depression symptoms (P=.01), but neither the alliance nor web-based social support predicted change in anxiety symptoms (Ps>.05). We also observed a significant difference in anxiety symptoms between participants who used a VR head-mounted display to access CBI and those who did not, such that participants who used VR head-mounted displays endorsed lower anxiety symptoms than those who did not at nearly every session (P=.04). Conclusions Participation in CBI is associated with both depression and anxiety symptom improvement. Web-based social support may play an important role in fostering changes in depression symptoms. Future studies are encouraged to continue examining the process of change in CBI with special attention paid to methods that can elucidate causal mechanisms of change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptom Change in Cognitive Behavioral Immersion: Observational Study

Ezawa¹,

Hollon²,

Robinson³

2023

JMIR Ment Health

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“…Using advanced camera setups to capture the entire body and facial expressions of both therapist and client can indeed provide a more comprehensive picture during metaverse counseling sessions. Nevertheless, the feasibility of implementing elaborate camera setups is influenced by factors such as technological, financial, and privacy constraints (Ifdil et al, 2023). Additionally, diverse populations, including older individuals, those with visual impairments, and people with various mental health disorders, might experience technology-based therapy differently.…”

Section: Challenges Of Virtual Psychotherapy and Metaverse Counseling...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the rising interest in virtual reality counseling and psychotherapy (Ifdil et al, 2023), there is a research shortage specifically investigating the dynamics of therapist-client interactions in metaverse counseling. The utilization of virtual avatars underscores the importance of examining the factors that influence therapeutic progress and outcomes within the virtual environment.…”

Section: Challenges Of Virtual Psychotherapy and Metaverse Counseling...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Impact of Therapeutic Presence on Working Alliance in Metaverse Counseling

Im,

Jo,

Lee

2024

The Counseling Psychologist

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This study investigated the role of a therapeutic presence in metaverse counseling, considering the growing interest in virtual reality psychotherapy. To examine the relationship between therapeutic presence and working alliance over time in metaverse counseling, we conducted a multilevel analysis with sessions at level 1, clients at level 2, and therapists at level 3. The dataset consisted of 75 sessions, nested within 25 clients and seven therapists. The study revealed that therapeutic presence positively affected the working alliance, at the between-sessions (within individual clients) and between-clients levels (across different clients). The findings also indicated that, during the early stages of treatment, a higher level of therapeutic presence in a session was associated with a stronger working alliance for that particular session. The final model explained approximately 45% of the working alliance variance. The implication for the potential influence of a therapeutic presence was discussed particularly during the initial sessions of metaverse counseling.

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“…(3,4) Following the results of research conducted by Peterson (3) , the study's findings have implications for future treatments to help young people cope with public health measures like lockdowns, as well as to enhance public health and well-being; the authors view that counseling interventions through the Metaverse can become one of the most relevant options today. (1,5) Counseling is an activity that has been carried out since 1908 and was initiated by Frank Parsons, who is fondly called the Father of The Guidance. (6) Initially, counseling aimed to help young people in America choose the careers that suit their needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Counseling-Verse”: A Survey of Young Adults from Faith-Based Educational Institution on the Implementation of Future Mental Health Services in the Metaverse

Sebo

Oentarto

Situmorang

2023

Metaverse Basic and Applied Research

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Objective: Pastoral care in mental health interventions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (such as lockdowns) put people's mental health and emotional well-being at jeopardy, especially today's young people. Because of their extensive use of screen-mediated solitary social media mixed with inadequate face-to-face interpersonal skills, they are more sensitive to mental health disorders such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Pastoral counseling treatments using Metaverse (aka “counseling-verse”), according to the authors, might become one of the most useful treatments available today. Methods: The research method uses a quantitative approach with survey methods in collecting subject data, with a total of 143 young people participants. Results: Main findings were fivefold: (i) The majority of young people today know very well what the Metaverse is. (ii) The majority of young people have a positive view of the existence of the Metaverse, that they perceive this as something unique and as a technological development. (iii) The majority of young people agree with the counseling service at Metaverse. (iv) The reason they agree is because this counseling service at Metaverse can be a surefire solution to their current problems. (v) The majority of young people choose the type of individual counseling services and consultations on all mental health services provided on Metaverse. Significance of the Results: Based on the results of the research that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the pastoral counseling service at the Metaverse is one type of appropriate intervention and is the choice for young people today. Through this "counseling-verse" it is hoped that it can be a surefire solution to help young people who experience mental health issues such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression; as a result of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (such as lockdowns).

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Virtual reality in Metaverse for future mental health-helping profession: an alternative solution to the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: Currently, Metaverse has become a hot topic of conversation everywhere. Therefore, this can also be an accurate solution to the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully in the future, mental health workers can make the best use of it.

Cited by 48 publications

References 10 publications

Examining Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptom Change in Cognitive Behavioral Immersion: Observational Study

Examining Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptom Change in Cognitive Behavioral Immersion: Observational Study

Exploring the Impact of Therapeutic Presence on Working Alliance in Metaverse Counseling

“Counseling-Verse”: A Survey of Young Adults from Faith-Based Educational Institution on the Implementation of Future Mental Health Services in the Metaverse

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