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Internet-Based Psychological Interventions during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Experience in South of Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Grazia D’Onofrio

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Filomena Ciccone

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Giuliana Placentino

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Maria Placentino

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Cinzia Tulipani

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Annamaria Prencipe

    (Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

  • Gabriella De Vincentis

    (Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy)

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an increasing demand for online psychological intervention. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of received support in internet-based psychological intervention group (I-IG) patients, compared with a wait-list control group (CG). The Impact of Event Scale—Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale 7-item were administered. After participants had used the internet-based solution, the System Usability Scale was administered. In total, 221 patients (194 patients supported by internet-based interventions and 27 patients supported onsite) were included in intervention group, and 194 patients were included in CG. In a 6-month follow-up, participants in the I-IG demonstrated significant improvements in terms of PTSD risk ( p < 0.0001, d = 0.64), depression ( p < 0.0001, d = 0.68), and anxiety ( p < 0.0001, d = 1.33), compared to the CG. Significant improvements in onsite intervention group patients with a large to very large effect size of PTSD risk ( p < 0.0001, d = 0.91), depression ( p < 0.0001, d = 0.81), and anxiety ( p < 0.0001, d = 1.62) were found. After internet-based solution use, I-IG patients reported a very high usability and functionality (72.87 ± 13.11) of online intervention. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2-related mental health problems can be improved by internet-based psychological intervention. The usability and functionality evaluation of online solutions by technological tools showed very positive results for the I-IG patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Grazia D’Onofrio & Filomena Ciccone & Giuliana Placentino & Maria Placentino & Cinzia Tulipani & Annamaria Prencipe & Gabriella De Vincentis, 2022. "Internet-Based Psychological Interventions during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Experience in South of Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5425-:d:805362
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. de Belvis, Antonio Giulio & Ferrè, Francesca & Specchia, Maria Lucia & Valerio, Luca & Fattore, Giovanni & Ricciardi, Walter, 2012. "The financial crisis in Italy: Implications for the healthcare sector," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 10-16.
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