Universität zu Köln

Eichenberg, Christiane, Wolters, Carolin and Braehler, Elmar ORCID: 0000-0002-2648-2728 (2013). The Internet as a Mental Health Advisor in Germany-Results of a National Survey. PLoS One, 8 (11). SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

The internet constitutes a popular source of health information. However, the use of the internet and other modern media in the domain of mental health remains widely unclear. This study aimed at exploring the readiness for seeking information online and making use of online counseling and media-assisted psychotherapy. A representative survey of N = 2411 Germans was conducted. Results indicated that more than one fourth of Germans would consider seeking help online in case of psychic strain. Participants reported that they would use the internet when needing to research about mental health topics and to communicate with persons concerned on internet forums. Only a small number of participants had already used psychological online-counseling. The majority of subjects reported not having known about the possibility of online counseling. However, the willingness to make use of this option in the future was in a medium range. Concerning the treatment of mental disorders, participants showed a clear preference toward conventional face-to-face treatment. Less than 10% of participants considered the use of treatment supported by mobile phones, the internet, or virtual realities as likely. Certainly, readiness was significantly higher in persons who were already using the relevant devices-mobile phones, computers, and the internet. In the future, there will presumably be an increasing demand for media-assisted psychological counseling and interventions. Members of the health care system should therefore prepare for current developments and help enlighten patients with regard to the possibilities, and also the potential risks of e-mental health.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Eichenberg, Christiane UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wolters, Carolin UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Braehler, Elmar UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-2648-2728 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-471884
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0079206
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS One
Volume:	8
Number:	11
Date:	2013
Publisher:	PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
Place of Publication:	SAN FRANCISCO
ISSN:	1932-6203
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY; REALITY EXPOSURE THERAPY; ANXIETY; ONLINE Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/47188