Factors Related to Preference for Online Psychological Treatments Among Active Internet Users

Internet-based approaches to psychological treatment have risen in popularity and have been shown to be efficacious in treating a wide array of issues (McNeilly & Howard, 1991; Lipsey & Wilson, 1993). The purpose of this study was to move beyond evaluation of treatment efficacy and instead identify the factors that might be related to a preference for these non-traditional modes of treatment, which is an essential aspect of rigorous behavioral research. Using an online survey, 1404 self-reported adults in the United States provided information about demographics and Internet behavior as well as measures of personality, depression, anxiety, and attitudes toward receiving help. Finally, the participants were instructed to watch three short video vignettes depicting face-to-face therapy, online guided self-help, and text-based Internet psychotherapy before indicating their preferences for each modality. Results suggest that individuals who preferred either of the two online approaches had significantly lower extraversion, difficulty attending routine in-person meetings, more negative attitudes toward receiving help, and lower satisfaction with previous treatment than participants who preferred face-to-face therapy. It appears that there may be distinct factors that distinguish individuals with an interest in Internet-based psychological treatment from those who prefer traditional face-to-face therapy. This study begins the process of exploring the types of people that are likely to be interested in Internet-based psychological treatment