The effect of an Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on social support in disaster evacuees.

Abstract

Both exposure to a natural disaster and psychological symptoms may lead to decreases in social support. Few studies have examined ways to improve social support among victims of natural disasters. The objective of the study was to assess emotional and tangible support following a 12-session Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) targeting posttraumatic stress (PTS), insomnia, and depression symptoms and to examine the association between posttreatment symptoms and emotional and tangible support. One hundred and seventy-eight wildfire evacuees with significant PTS, depression and/or insomnia symptoms were given access to the ICBT. They completed questionnaires at pre- and posttreatment to measure social support and symptom severity. Results show that completion of the treatment led to an improvement in emotional support. Lower posttreatment PTSand insomnia symptoms were associated with higher posttreatment emotional support. ICBT may contribute to enhance emotional support through symptom improvement and probably more so when social support is address directly in treatment.