Linardon, Jake, Shatte, Adrian, Tepper, Hannah, and Fuller‐tyszkiewicz, Matthew (2020) A survey study of attitudes toward, and preferences for, e‐therapy interventions for eating disorder psychopathology. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53 (6). pp. 907-916.

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Abstract

Objective: E-therapy shows promise as a solution to the barriers that stand in the way of people receiving eating disorder (ED) treatment. Despite the potential for e-therapy to reduce the well-known treatment gap, little is known about public views and perspectives on this mode of intervention delivery. This study explored attitudes toward, and preferences for, e-therapy among individuals spanning the spectrum of eating pathology.

Method: Survey data assessing e-therapy attitudes and preferences were analyzed from 713 participants recruited from the public. Participants were categorized into one of five subgroups based on the type of self-reported ED symptoms and severity/risk level, ranging from high risk to a probable threshold or subthreshold ED.

Results: Attitudes toward e-therapies appeared to be relatively positive; participants largely supported health care insurance coverage of costs for e-therapies, and were optimistic about the wide-ranging benefits of e-therapy. Although three-quarters of participants expressed a preference for face-to-face therapy, a significant percentage of participants (∼50%) reported an intention to use an e-therapy program for current or future eating problems, with intention ratings highest (70%) among those with probable bulimia nervosa (BN). Variables associated with an e-therapy preference were not currently receiving psychotherapy, more positive e-therapy attitudes, and greater stigma associated with professional help-seeking. Variables associated with e-therapy intentions were more positive e-therapy attitudes and a probable BN classification.

Conclusions: Present findings have important implications for increasing online intervention acceptance, engagement, and help-seeking among those at different stages of illness.

Item ID:	81644
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1098-108X
Keywords:	e-therapy;eating disorders;help-seeking;prevention;treatment
Copyright Information:	© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2024 00:27
FoR Codes:	46 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 4608 Human-centred computing > 460806 Human-computer interaction @ 50% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520302 Clinical psychology @ 50%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200409 Mental health @ 50% 22 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES > 2204 Information systems, technologies and services > 220407 Human-computer interaction @ 50%
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