Usability and Feasibility Study of a Remote Cognitive Behavioral Therapy System with Long-Term Unemployed Women. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: García, Yolanda; Ferrás, Carlos; Aguilera, Adrián; Ávila, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of technology in human services. Volume 35:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 219
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: E-Health -- mobile phones -- psychosocial therapy -- text messages -- women; Human services -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Human services -- Information services -- Periodicals; Social service -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 361.0028
• DOI: 10.1080/15228835.2017.1345672
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-8835

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We present the results of the use of a cognitive behavioral therapeutic intervention tool to improve the mental, physical, and social health of a group of long-term unemployed women in Spain. Method: We sent automated text messages (SMS) to the mobile phones of long-term unemployed women selected at random from public social services. During a 28-day intervention period, women received four daily automated text messages on her mobile phone on a predetermined hourly schedule. We measured depression symptoms at the start and end of the intervention and we analyzed qualitative data to determine the acceptability of a remote SMS program. Results: Depression symptoms using the Personal Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), went from an average of 13.8 at baseline to 4.9 at the end of 28 days ( p = 0.89). One hundred percent of the women reported that they liked receiving the text messages and most found them helpful.