Citation

Frenette, Ouellet MC, Guay S, Lebel J, Békés V, Belleville G. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.23497

PMID

36810981

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Both exposure to a natural disaster and psychological symptoms may lead to decreases in social support. Few studies have examined ways to improve social support among victims of natural disasters. AIMS: The objective of the study was to assess emotional and tangible support following a 12-session Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) targeting posttraumatic stress (PTS), insomnia, and depression symptoms and to examine the association between posttreatment symptoms and emotional and tangible support.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-eight wildfire evacuees with significant PTS, depression and/or insomnia symptoms were given access to the ICBT. They completed questionnaires at pre- and posttreatment to measure social support and symptom severity.

RESULTS: Results show that completion of the treatment led to an improvement in emotional support. Lower posttreatment PTS and insomnia symptoms were associated with higher posttreatment emotional support.

CONCLUSION: ICBT may contribute to enhance emotional support through symptom improvement and probably more so when social support is address directly in treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorder; social support; Internet cognitive-behavioral therapy