Internet-based self-help for schizophrenia – risks and chances

Westermann, Stefan; Berger, Thomas; Steffen, Moritz; Caspar, Franz (17 September 2015). Internet-based self-help for schizophrenia – risks and chances (Unpublished). In: 3rd European meeting of the ESRII (The European Society for Research on Internet Interventions). Warsaw, Poland. 17.09.-18.09.2015.

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Purpose: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder which is accompanied by an enormous individual and societal burden. Despite established efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia, its dissemination into routine mental health care remains poor. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in a self-help format helps to narrow the treatment gap in many mental disorders. Are Internet-based self-help programs, which are based on the principles of CBT, also feasible and viable for patients with schizophrenia?

Methods: Mental health professionals (target N=50) as well as individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (target N=50) reported their opinion regarding potential chances and risks of Internet-based self-help for schizophrenia in an online survey.

Results: The preliminary data analysis of n=30 health professionals revealed a general acceptance of Internet-based programs for schizophrenia (53% acceptable, 47% acceptable after empirical evaluation) and specific contraindications (e.g., severe psychotic symptoms; 73%). People with schizophrenia highlighted the attractiveness of self-help interventions due to a wish for empowerment and for opportunities to strengthen self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Risks, limitations and chances of Internet-based programs for patients with schizophrenia will be discussed.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Division/Institute:

07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology

UniBE Contributor:

Westermann, Stefan, Berger, Thomas (B), Caspar, Franz

Subjects:

100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

Language:

English

Submitter:

Adriana Biaggi

Date Deposited:

02 May 2016 14:53

Last Modified:

29 Mar 2023 23:34

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/80525

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