Internet-based intervention for mental health and substance use problems in disaster-affected populations: a pilot feasibility study.
Early interventions that reduce the societal burden of mental health problems in the aftermath of disasters and mass violence have the potential to be enormously valuable. Internet-based interventions can be delivered widely, efficiently, and at low cost and as such are of particular interest. We describe the development and feasibility analysis of an Internet-delivered intervention designed to address mental health and substance-related reactions in disaster-affected populations. Participants (n = 285) were recruited from a cohort of New York City-area residents that had been followed longitudinally in epidemiological research initiated 6 months after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The intervention consisted of 7 modules: posttraumatic stress/panic, depression, generalized anxiety, alcohol use, marijuana use, drug use, and cigarette use. Feasibility data were promising and suggest the need for further evaluation.
Ruggiero
Kenneth J
KJ
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. ruggierk@music.edu
Resnick
Heidi S
HS
Acierno
Ron
R
Coffey
Scott F
SF
Carpenter
Matthew J
MJ
Ruscio
Ayelet Meron
AM
Stephens
Robert S
RS
Kilpatrick
Dean G
DG
Stasiewicz
Paul R
PR
Roffman
Roger A
RA
Bucuvalas
Michael
M
Galea
Sandro
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control