An Internet-based self-change program for traumatic event related fear, distress, and maladaptive coping

Abstract

This study compared the efficacy of an Internet‐based, 8‐week self‐help program for traumatic event‐related consequences (SHTC) (n = 13) to a wait‐list (WL) condition (n = 14). The SHTC consisted of cognitive–behavioral modules that progressed from the least anxiety‐provoking component (i.e., information) to the most anxiety‐provoking (i.e., exposure). Participants were those who had experienced a traumatic event and had been experiencing subclinical levels of symptoms associated with the event. Participants mastered the material in each module before proceeding to the next module. Pre‐ and post‐treatment assessments revealed that SHTC participants decreased avoidance behavior, frequency of intrusive symptoms, state anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and increased coping skills and coping self‐efficacy significantly more than WL participants. SHTC participants demonstrated more clinically significant improvement than WL individuals.