OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the efficacy of internet-based problem-solving training (iPST) for employees in the educational sector (teachers) with depressive symptoms. The results of training were compared to those of a waitlist control group (WLC). METHODS: One-hundred and fifty teachers with elevated depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D ≥16) were assigned to either the iPST or WLC group. The iPST consisted of five lessons, including problem-solving and rumination techniques. Symptoms were assessed before the intervention began and in follow-up assessments after seven weeks, three months, and six months. The primary outcome was depressive symptom severity (CES-D). Secondary outcomes included general and work-specific self-efficacy, perceived stress, pathological worries, burnout symptoms, general physical and mental health, and absenteeism. RESULTS: iPST participants displayed a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms after the intervention (d=0.59, 95% CI 0.26-0.92), after three months (d=0.37, 95% CI 0.05-0.70) and after six months (d=0.38, 95% CI 0.05-0.70) compared to the control group. The iPST participants also displayed significantly higher improvements in secondary outcomes. However, workplace absenteeism was not significantly affected. CONCLUSION: iPST is effective in reducing symptoms of depression among teachers. Disseminated on a large scale, iPST could contribute to reducing the burden of stress-related mental health problems among teachers. Future studies should evaluate iPST approaches for use in other working populations.
OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the efficacy of internet-based problem-solving training (iPST) for employees in the educational sector (teachers) with depressive symptoms. The results of training were compared to those of a waitlist control group (WLC). METHODS: One-hundred and fifty teachers with elevated depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D ≥16) were assigned to either the iPST or WLC group. The iPST consisted of five lessons, including problem-solving and rumination techniques. Symptoms were assessed before the intervention began and in follow-up assessments after seven weeks, three months, and six months. The primary outcome was depressive symptom severity (CES-D). Secondary outcomes included general and work-specific self-efficacy, perceived stress, pathological worries, burnout symptoms, general physical and mental health, and absenteeism. RESULTS: iPST participants displayed a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms after the intervention (d=0.59, 95% CI 0.26-0.92), after three months (d=0.37, 95% CI 0.05-0.70) and after six months (d=0.38, 95% CI 0.05-0.70) compared to the control group. The iPST participants also displayed significantly higher improvements in secondary outcomes. However, workplace absenteeism was not significantly affected. CONCLUSION: iPST is effective in reducing symptoms of depression among teachers. Disseminated on a large scale, iPST could contribute to reducing the burden of stress-related mental health problems among teachers. Future studies should evaluate iPST approaches for use in other working populations.
Authors: D D Ebert; L Donkin; G Andersson; G Andrews; T Berger; P Carlbring; A Rozenthal; I Choi; J A C Laferton; R Johansson; A Kleiboer; A Lange; D Lehr; J A Reins; B Funk; J Newby; S Perini; H Riper; J Ruwaard; L Sheeber; F J Snoek; N Titov; B Ünlü Ince; K van Bastelaar; K Vernmark; A van Straten; L Warmerdam; N Salsman; P Cuijpers Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2016-10 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Anna-Carlotta Zarski; Dirk Lehr; Matthias Berking; Heleen Riper; Pim Cuijpers; David Daniel Ebert Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2016-06-29 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Jiaxi Lin; Lasse Sander; Sarah Paganini; Sandra Schlicker; David Ebert; Matthias Berking; Jürgen Bengel; Stephanie Nobis; Dirk Lehr; Oskar Mittag; Heleen Riper; Harald Baumeister Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-12-28 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: David Daniel Ebert; Dirk Lehr; Filip Smit; Anna-Carlotta Zarski; Heleen Riper; Elena Heber; Pim Cuijpers; Matthias Berking Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-08-07 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Michael P Schaub; Matthijs Blankers; Dirk Lehr; Leif Boss; Heleen Riper; Jack Dekker; Anna E Goudriaan; Larissa J Maier; Severin Haug; Manuel Amann; Michelle Dey; Andreas Wenger; David D Ebert Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-05-25 Impact factor: 2.692