- The Relationship between Level of Therapist Support and Efficacy and Adherence in Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Disordered Eating Behaviors
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Seyeom Kim, Eun-Jung Shim
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STRESS. 2024;32(1):29-37. Published online March 28, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2024.32.1.29
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 Abstract
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- Background
Therapist support is an important intervention design factor in internet-delivered psychotherapy. However, the relationship between therapist support and intervention outcomes is not well established. This study examined the relationship between therapist support, efficacy, and adherence to Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for disordered eating behaviors.
Methods
Thirty-six women with disordered eating behaviors were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: low, medium, and high levels of therapist support. The participants received eight sessions of I-CBT, twice a week, with varying levels of therapist support.
Results
While all three groups showed a reduction in eating disorder risk factors (i.e., body image disturbance, disordered eating behaviors, depression, and anxiety), there were no significant differences in these improvements by therapist support level. However, there were significant differences in intervention completion rates by therapist support level, with higher levels of support associated with increased intervention completion rates.
Conclusions
Therapist support can potentially improve adherence to internet-based interventions.
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