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Exploring Perceptions of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy among Public Safety Personnel: Informing Dissemination Efforts

Author

Listed:
  • Hugh C. McCall

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada
    Denotes equal contributions.)

  • Angelo P. Sison

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada
    Denotes equal contributions.)

  • Jody L. Burnett

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada)

  • Janine D. Beahm

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada)

  • Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada)

Abstract

Background Public safety personnel (PSP) experience high rates of mental health disorders but have limited access to treatment. To improve treatment access, there is a growing interest in offering internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) to PSP. As attitudes towards ICBT can both impact and inform ICBT implementation efforts, this study examines perceptions of ICBT among PSP who viewed a poster (a commonly used method of advertising ICBT) or a poster supplemented with a story of a PSP who benefitted from ICBT. Methods Participants ( N = 132) from various PSP sectors were randomly assigned to view a poster or a poster and a story. Participants then completed an online survey assessing their perceptions of ICBT using both qualitative and quantitative questions. We used a mixed-methods approach to analyze the data. Results No differences in perceptions of ICBT were identified between the conditions. Ratings of credibility, treatment expectancy, anticipated treatment adherence, and acceptability suggested that PSP had positive perceptions of ICBT. Most participants (93%) reported that they would access ICBT if they needed help with mental health concerns. Participants ranked therapist-guided ICBT as their second most preferred treatment, with psychologists ranked first. Female participants found ICBT more credible than male participants. More experienced PSP reported lower acceptability and anticipated adherence to ICBT. Conclusions The findings suggest that many PSP are likely to be receptive to ICBT even when a simple poster is used as a method of informing PSP of this treatment option. Further attention to improving the perceptions of ICBT among certain groups may be warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Hugh C. McCall & Angelo P. Sison & Jody L. Burnett & Janine D. Beahm & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2020. "Exploring Perceptions of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy among Public Safety Personnel: Informing Dissemination Efforts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6026-:d:400925
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hugh McCall & Janine Beahm & Caeleigh Landry & Ziyin Huang & R. Nicholas Carleton & Heather Hadjistavropoulos, 2020. "How Have Public Safety Personnel Seeking Digital Mental Healthcare Been Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Caeleigh A. Landry & Janine D. Beahm & Hugh C. McCall & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2023. "Sustaining and Expanding Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for Public Safety Personnel across Canada: A Survey of Stakeholder Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Janine D. Beahm & Caeleigh A. Landry & Hugh C. McCall & R. Nicholas Carleton & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2022. "Understanding and Addressing Occupational Stressors in Internet-Delivered Therapy for Public Safety Personnel: A Qualitative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Hugh C. McCall & Caeleigh A. Landry & Adeyemi Ogunade & R. Nicholas Carleton & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2021. "Why Do Public Safety Personnel Seek Tailored Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? An Observational Study of Treatment-Seekers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.

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