The field of e-psychology is rapidly expanding, with new Internet and phone-based programs regularly becoming available for an increasing variety of mental health issues. There is a strong evidence base supporting Internet delivered psychological interventions, but less is known about particular program components or patterns of usage that are most impactful and thus associated with better outcomes.
This study seeks to identify particular CBT components and patterns of program engagement and usage that are associated with better client outcomes following exposure to an Internet-based treatment for depression or alcohol use. Participants with a history of major depression and participants drinking alcohol at risky levels were recruited into two separate randomised controlled trials comparing brief and extended Internet-based CBT for depression or alcohol use. Completion of the Internet programs was self-guided and participants were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Data on intervention usage were collected within the program.
An overview of the outcomes of both studies will be provided followed by results of a series of univariate and regression analyses examining various indices of program usage and engagement such as number of logins, days of monitoring, number of components completed, type of components completed and pattern of program use. The results of this study provide important insights into Internet-CBT components and patterns of usage that are associated with better outcomes for clients. Further trials testing subsets of strategies and the impact of user-driven interfaces are needed to shed additional light.