A Pilot Study of an Online Psychoeducational Program on Cyberbullying That Aims to Increase Confidence and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Adolescents.

This pilot study obtained preliminary data on the effectiveness of an online, self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy-based psychoeducational program for coping with a potential experience of cyberbullying. The aim of the increasing resilience to cyberbullying (IRCB) program was to increase adolescents' likelihood of employing coping skills that may be helpful for a victim of cyberbullying, and to increase confidence in their ability to cope and/or help a friend cope with an experience of cyberbullying. Online questionnaires were administered to participants at baseline (preprogram,  = 54) and after program completion (postprogram,  = 54).

A pilot digital intervention targeting loneliness in young people with psychosis.

Purpose: Loneliness has been identified as a significant challenge for people with psychosis. Interventions targeting loneliness are lacking but adopting a positive psychology approach may reduce loneliness, promote well-being, and support meaningful social interactions. Together with youth mental health consumers, we developed a digital smartphone application (app) called +Connect, which delivers positive psychology content daily for 6 weeks.

"Blended" therapy: The development and pilot evaluation of an internet-facilitated cognitive behavioral intervention to supplement face-to-face therapy for hoarding disorder.

Mixed findings regarding the long-term efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of hoarding has led to the investigation of novel treatment approaches. "Blended" therapy, a combination of face-to-face (f2f) and online therapy, is a form of therapy that enables longer exposure to therapy in a cost-effective and accessible format. Blended therapy holds many benefits, including increased access to content, lower time commitment for clinicians, and lower costs.

What Role Can Avatars Play in e-Mental Health Interventions? Exploring New Models of Client-Therapist Interaction.

In the burgeoning field of e-mental health interventions, avatars are increasingly being utilized to facilitate online communication between clients and therapists, and among peers. Avatars are digital self-representations, which enable individuals to interact with each other in computer-based virtual environments. In this narrative review, we examine the psychotherapeutic applications of avatars that have been investigated and trialed to date.

An online psychological intervention can improve the sexual satisfaction of men following treatment for localized prostate cancer: outcomes of a Randomised Controlled Trial evaluating My Road Ahead.

Background: Prostate cancer treatment often results in significant psycho-sexual challenges for men following treatment; however, many men report difficulty in accessing appropriate care.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a 10-week self-guided online psychological intervention called My Road Ahead (MRA) for men with localized prostate cancer in improving sexual satisfaction. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions MRA alone or MRA plus online forum, or forum access alone.

Can sexual outcomes be enhanced after cancer using online technology?

Purpose Of Review: The impact that cancer and its treatments can have on sexual functioning, sexual desire, and sexual arousal can be profound and many patients report significant unmet needs in relation to managing sexual difficulties. We reviewed the literature to understand the application of Internet-based technology in the delivery of psychosexual interventions, information provision, and support.

Recent Findings: Ten studies were identified that utilized Internet-based technology to deliver information, support, or psychosexual interventions designed to improve sexual outcomes, sexual distress, and quality of life of cancer survivors.

The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Delivering Internet-Based Self-Help and Guided Self-Help Interventions for Generalized Anxiety Disorder to Indian University Students: Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental disorders among university students; however, many students go untreated due to treatment costs, stigma concerns, and limited access to trained mental health professionals. These barriers are heightened in universities in India, where there are scant mental health care services and severe stigma surrounding help seeking.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of Internet-based, or "online," cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based unguided and guided self-help interventions (using the programs GAD Online and Lantern, respectively) to reduce GAD symptoms in students with clinical and subthreshold GAD and, ultimately, reduce the prevalence and incidence of GAD among the student population.

The Diagnostic Validity and Reliability of an Internet-Based Clinical Assessment Program for Mental Disorders.

Background: Internet-based assessment has the potential to assist with the diagnosis of mental health disorders and overcome the barriers associated with traditional services (eg, cost, stigma, distance). Further to existing online screening programs available, there is an opportunity to deliver more comprehensive and accurate diagnostic tools to supplement the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic criterion validity and test-retest reliability of the electronic Psychological Assessment System (e-PASS), an online, self-report, multidisorder, clinical assessment and referral system.

Out & Online; effectiveness of a tailored online multi-symptom mental health and wellbeing program for same-sex attracted young adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Same-sex attracted young adults have been found to experience higher rates of mental health problems and greater difficulties in accessing specialist mental health care services compared to their heterosexual peers. Internet-based mental health interventions have the potential to be more engaging and accessible to young adults compared to those delivered face-to-face. However, they are rarely inclusive of lesbian women and gay men.

Preliminary results of a randomised controlled trial of an online psychological intervention to reduce distress in men treated for localised prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) poses many emotional and physical challenges for men following treatment. The unmet support needs of these men are well documented, and access to psychosocial support remains problematic.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of an online psychological intervention for men who have localised PCa.

My Road Ahead study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of an online psychological intervention for men following treatment for localised prostate cancer.

Background: There is a need for psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer to promote adaptive coping with the challenges and distress associated with diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition, interventions are needed that help to overcome barriers to psychosocial treatment such as limited face-to-face psychosocial support services, a shortage of adequately trained professionals, geographical distance, perceived and personal stigma and a preference for consumer-centric and self-directed learning. My Road Ahead is an online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for prostate cancer.

Review: psychosocial interventions addressing sexual or relationship functioning in men with prostate cancer.

Introduction: Although previous research has evaluated the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer, no previous review has investigated the effects of psychosocial interventions on both sexual and relationship functioning.

Aim: To review the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions that focus on sexual and/or relationship functioning for men with prostate cancer and their partners.

Method: A systematic literature review of research reported in the Medline, PsychINFO, PsychArticles databases from January 1990 to September 10, 2011.

Getting the message across: does the use of drama aid education in palliative care?

Drama is a promising means of delivering educational messages in palliative care. Research studies have found drama to be an effective means of delivering educational messages in other domains of learning, such as teaching health education to children and adults and engaging the general public in health policy development. This paper discusses the potential of drama for palliative care education and provides an example of the use of a drama to deliver messages about death and dying at a conference on palliative care.

A cluster randomised trial of an internet-based intervention program for tinnitus distress in an industrial setting.

The effectiveness of a therapist-supported Internet intervention program for tinnitus distress in an industrial setting was evaluated using a cluster randomised design. Fifty-six Australian employees of two industrial organisations were randomly assigned, based on their work site (18 work sites from BP Australia and five from BHP Billiton), to either a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program or an information-only control program. Participants were assessed at pre- and post-program, measuring tinnitus distress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and occupational health.