The role of therapist support on effectiveness of an internet-based modular self-help intervention for adjustment disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Adjustment disorder is among the most often diagnosed mental health disorders. Still, there is a lack of specific interventions available for adjustment disorder.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to test if an internet-based self-help intervention for adjustment disorder could be effective without therapist involvement.

DESIGN

A parallel group randomized controlled trial design was used to test the effectiveness of the Brief Adjustment Disorder Intervention (BADI) - an internet-based intervention for adjustment disorder.

METHODS

In total 1077 participants were randomized into two conditions: BADI intervention and BADI intervention with therapist support. The main outcome measures were symptoms of adjustment disorder and well-being.

RESULTS

Pre-intervention to post-intervention adjustment disorder effect size for the BADI intervention group was d = 0.64, and for the BADI with therapist support group the effect size was d = 0.53.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study supported the effectiveness of the BADI intervention. Our findings also indicated that adding therapist support to the standard BADI intervention did not significantly improve the outcomes.