A survey study of attitudes toward, and preferences for, e‐therapy interventions for eating disorder psychopathology

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Linardon, Jake;Shatte, Adrian;Tepper, Hannah;Fuller‐tyszkiewicz, Matthew
Abstract

Objective: E-therapy shows promise as a solution to the barriers that stand in the way of people receiving eating disorder (ED) treatment. Despite the potential for e-therapy to reduce the well-known treatment gap, little is known about public views and perspectives on this mode of intervention delivery. This study explored attitudes toward, and preferences for, e-therapy among individuals spanning the spectrum of eating pathology. Method: Survey data assessing e-therapy attitudes and preferences were analyzed from 713 participants recruited from the public. Participants were categorized into one of five subgroups based on the type of self-reported ED symptoms and severity/risk level, ranging from high risk to a probable threshold or subthreshold ED. Results: Attitudes toward e-therapies appeared to be relatively positive; participants largely supported health care insurance coverage of costs for e-therapies, and were optimistic about the wide-ranging benefits of e-therapy. Although three-quarters of participants expressed a preference for face-to-face therapy, a significant percentage of participants (∼50%) reported an intention to use an e-therapy program for current or future eating problems, with intention ratings highest (70%) among those with probable bulimia nervosa (BN). Variables associated with an e-therapy preference were not currently receiving psychotherapy, more positive e-therapy attitudes, and greater stigma associated with professional help-seeking. Variables associated with e-therapy intentions were more positive e-therapy attitudes and a probable BN classification. Conclusions: Present findings have important implications for increasing online intervention acceptance, engagement, and help-seeking among those at different stages of illness.

Journal

International Journal of Eating Disorders

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Volume

53

ISBN/ISSN

1098-108X

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Issue

6

Pages Count

10

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Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

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EISSN

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DOI

10.1002/eat.23268