Related Experiment Videos
Patient expectations in internet-based self-help for social anxiety
Johanna Boettcher1, Babette Renneberg, Thomas Berger
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany. johanna.boettcher@fu-berlin.de
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
|May 24, 2013
Summary
Patient expectations significantly improve outcomes and adherence in internet-based cognitive-behaviour therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Higher expectations correlate with better results, though they do not predict dropout.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Digital Health
- Mental Health Interventions
Background:
- Internet-based cognitive-behaviour therapy (iCBT) is effective for social anxiety disorder (SAD).
- Mechanisms driving iCBT efficacy for SAD remain underexplored.
- Patient expectations are a potential mediator of treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if patient expectations predict treatment outcome, adherence, and dropout in an unguided iCBT program for SAD.
- To explore the role of early symptom change in mediating the effect of expectations on outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 109 participants in a 10-week unguided iCBT program for SAD.
- Social anxiety measures administered at baseline, week 2, and post-intervention.
- Expectancy assessed at week 2; adherence and dropout data collected.
Main Results:
- Patient expectations significantly predicted reduced social anxiety (β = - .35 to - .40, p < .003).
- Higher expectations were associated with increased treatment adherence (β = .27, p = .02).
- Expectations did not predict dropout, but mediated outcome through early symptom reduction.
Conclusions:
- Positive outcome expectations enhance treatment effectiveness and adherence in unguided iCBT for SAD.
- Early process predictors like patient expectations can inform clinical decisions for treatment intensification.
- Further research can leverage expectation measures to personalize digital mental health interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Self-Help Support Groups
Self-help support groups are voluntary, community-based organizations that provide a platform for individuals with shared concerns to exchange support, insights, and practical strategies for coping with life challenges. Typically led by group members or paraprofessionals, these groups form a cornerstone of mental health care, especially in reaching populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:27Need for Self-Esteem
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
01:25Benefits of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor academic or...