This study examines the efficacy of psychotherapeutic services via computer-mediated communication (CMC). Its main purpose is to determine if goal-oriented cognitive-behavioural group teletherapy via IRC can reduce feelings of loneliness among chronically lonely people with physical disabilities. Using a comparison design with pretest, post-test, follow-up and waiting-list control, 19 participants formed seven groups of 2–3 people. Participants completed an in-person individual assessment during which individualized therapeutic goals were enumerated. They also attended twelve 2-hour group intervention sessions via inter-relay-chat (IRC). Results indicate that participants felt less lonely after intervention. Moreover, participants who completed intervention felt less lonely at post-test than a similar group that had been placed in a waiting-list control. Furthermore, results indicate that gains were maintained at a 4-month follow-up. The results of this study are discussed, along with participants' comments about the intervention, its practical implications and some special considerations for teletherapy, as well as future directions for research.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LAVAL/oai:corpus.ulaval.ca:20.500.11794/44176 |
Date | 08 April 2021 |
Creators | Hopps, Sandra |
Contributors | Pépin, Michel |
Source Sets | Université Laval |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | thèse de doctorat, COAR1_1::Texte::Thèse::Thèse de doctorat |
Format | xxii, 295 feuillets, application/pdf |
Rights | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 |
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