Feasibility and initial impact of single-session internet-delivered acceptance

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Digital Therapeutics

Background:

• Current trauma interventions may not suit all individuals, especially those with subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Emotion regulation is a key transdiagnostic mechanism for mental health issues linked to trauma exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and initial impact of two brief internet-based emotion regulation skill trainings.
• To compare these trainings against an active control group for trauma-related problems.

Main Methods:

• 156 participants were randomized into three groups: emotion acceptance skills, emotion change skills, or stress psychoeducation (control).
• All trainings were delivered online and were brief in duration.
• Measures of emotion regulation, mindfulness, and affect intensity were collected pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• The internet-based training program was feasible and acceptable, with a 91.9% completion rate.
• All participants showed significant improvements in emotion regulation, irrespective of the training condition.
• Individuals in the emotion change group with higher PTSD symptoms experienced greater positive affect increases.

Conclusions:

• All three brief, internet-delivered training formats proved feasible for participants.
• While no condition showed superior outcomes, the study supports further research into emotion regulation skills for trauma-related distress.