TY - JOUR

T1 - Efficacy of an Internet-based problem-solving training for teachers

T2 - Results of a randomized controlled trial

AU - Ebert, David Daniel

AU - Lehr, Dirk

AU - Boß, Leif

AU - Riper, Heleen

AU - Cuijpers, Pim

AU - Andersson, Gerhard

AU - Thiart, Hanne

AU - Heber, Elena

AU - Berking, Matthias

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health.

PY - 2014/11

Y1 - 2014/11

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Health sciences

KW - depression

KW - depressive symptom

KW - depression

KW - depressive symptom

KW - internet-based

KW - mental health

KW - occupational health

KW - randomized controlled trial

KW - RCT

KW - teacher

KW - training

KW - web-based

KW - Depression

KW - Depressive symptom

KW - Mental health

KW - Occupational health

KW - RCT

KW - Web-based

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84908380430&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.5271/sjweh.3449

DO - 10.5271/sjweh.3449

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 25121986

VL - 40

SP - 582

EP - 596

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

SN - 1795-990X

IS - 6

ER -