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Use and effectiveness of self-help books in the practice of cognitive and behavioral therapy
Abstract
Despite the limited, albeit positive, evidence of the efficacy of self-help books (SHBs), they are widely prescribed to patients by therapists. It appears that this is due in part to their great appeal to the general public. Based upon the available empirical studies, it appears that some SHBs are effective in changing problematic behaviors when used alone and when used in conjunction with therapy. In this article, the case is made for a SHB plus cognitive behavioral therapy as being more useful in some cases than a SHB alone, because the combination addresses the crucial and frequently cited issue of compliance with the directives of the treatment regimen in a SHB (Rosen, 1987). We offer recommendations for selecting and assigning SHBs that we believe are beneficial.
... People are eager to learn what's wrong with them and are looking for an economical source that offers a simple, understandable, and acceptable diagnosis that is less threatening than the possibility of labeling, which may cause embarrassment, with minimal input from professionals (Donachie & Hill, 2020;Pantolon et al, 1995). There are no published evaluations or recommendations by recognized authorities such as the American Psychological Association in the USA, NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK, and the Ministry of Health in Turkey. ...
... Dengan demikian, self-help book diarahkan pada penyelesaian konflik antarpribadi dan psikologis. Self help book memiliki empat manfaat menurut Pantalon (1995) yaitu 1) dapat menjadi alat psikoedukasi yang berguna karena menawarkan proses intervensi yang jelas dan ringkas, 2) lebih ekonomis, 3) memberikan latihan perilaku yang bermanfaat, 4) pembahasan yang disajikan berdasarkan penelitian. ...
This study aims to produce an instructional book about to overcome loneliness by story writing aimed at class VIII in junior high schools in Tangerang. The research method used is the Design By Research (DBR) method which consists of four stages of the model, analysis-exploration, design-construction, analysis-reflection, implementation. Formative evaluation had be done by a validation evaluation 88% (very feasible), validity of the material experts is 78% (adequate), validity of guidance counseling teacher is 100% (very feasible) and the students are 90% (very feasible). The result of the research is a book that contains the stages of story writing using story theory from the perspective of narrative therapy.
... El soporte que utiliza la persona, le permite afrontar una situación difícil e incentivar una sensación de bienestar personal (Manjón, 2014;Martínez & Sierra, 2005). Aunque no abundan las investigaciones que aborden la efectividad de los diferentes recursos de autoayuda y se detectan disparidades en sus resultados, existen hallazgos que demuestran los beneficios de su uso (Halliday, 1991;Pardeck, 1991;Pantalon, Lubetkin & Fishman, 1995;Carroll, 1998;Carlbring, Westling & Anderson, 2000;Míguez, 2004;Canavire, 2013, Betancourt, 2020 Se concibieron los Boletines de autoayuda como recurso psicológico para el afrontamiento a la COVID-19; de esta manera fue viable participar en un proceso de ayuda psicológica en situación de crisis y brindar el apoyo psicológico en el contexto de la pandemia generada por la propagación del nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Se sustentan psicológicamente en los mecanismos reguladores y autorreguladores de la unidad cognitiva-afectiva-conductual de la personalidad y en las necesidades de diferentes grupos para la gestión de emociones, proyectos de vida, autoconocimiento, manejo de pensamientos intrusos, confianza en sí mismo, interacción familiar, salud cognitiva y autocuidado. ...
A social innovation project for psychological care in crisis was implemented by COVID-19, using telepsychology as a fundamental tool. The research process was methodologically based on action research, structured in four stages. The intervention actions were developed through information and communication technologies such as websites, social networks, e-mail, computers, fixed and mobile telephony. The self-help resources designed offered truthful information about the disease, encouraged the mediation of interpersonal conflicts, the expression and management of emotions associated with health distancing, favored the reduction of intrusive thoughts as well as the development of healthy coping strategies, care and self-care. The expression of the positive experiences of the beneficiaries supported the relevance of the proposal.
... Aunque no abundan las investigaciones que aborden la efectividad de los diferentes recursos de autoayuda y se detectan disparidades en sus resultados, existen hallazgos que demuestran los beneficios de su uso (Halliday, 1991;Pardeck, 1991;Pantalon, Lubetkin & Fishman, 1995;Carroll, 1998;Carlbring, Westling, & Andersson, 2000;Míguez, 2004;Canavire, 2013;Betancourt, 2020). ...
Fecha de aprobado: 19/09/2020 RESUMEN: Se implementó un proyecto de innovación social para la atención psicológica en crisis por COVID-19, utilizando como herramienta fundamental la Telepsicología. El proceso investigativo se sustentó metodológicamente en la investigación acción, estructurado en cuatro etapas. Las acciones de intervención se desarrollaron a través de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones como sitios webs, redes sociales, correo electrónico, ordenadores, la telefonía fija y móvil. Los recursos de autoayuda y ayuda diseñados ofrecieron información veraz sobre la enfermedad, propiciaron la mediación de conflictos interpersonales, la expresión y manejo de emociones asociadas al distanciamiento sanitario, favorecieron la reducción de pensamientos intrusos, así como la elaboración de estrategias de afrontamiento saludables, el cuidado y autocuidado. La expresión de las vivencias positivas de los beneficiarios avaló la pertinencia de la propuesta. PALABRAS CLAVE: atención psicológica en crisis, COVID-19, innovación social. ABSTRACT: A social innovation project for psychological care in crisis was implemented by COVID-19, using telepsychology as a fundamental tool. The research process was methodologically based on action research, structured in four stages. The intervention actions were developed through information and communication technologies such as websites, social networks, e-mail, computers, fixed and mobile telephony. The self-help resources designed offered truthful information about the disease, encouraged the mediation of interpersonal conflicts, the expression and management of emotions associated with health distancing, favored the reduction of intrusive thoughts as well as the development of healthy coping strategies, care and self-care. The expression of the positive experiences of the beneficiaries supported the relevance of the proposal.
... Aunque no abundan las investigaciones que aborden la efectividad de los diferentes recursos de autoayuda y se detectan disparidades en sus resultados, existen hallazgos que demuestran los beneficios de su uso (Halliday, 1991;Pardeck, 1991;Pantalon, Lubetkin & Fishman, 1995;Carroll, 1998;Carlbring, Westling, & Andersson, 2000;Míguez, 2004;Canavire, 2013;Betancourt, 2020). ...
Se implementó un proyecto de innovación social para la atención psicológica en crisis por COVID-19, utilizando como herramienta fundamental la Telepsicología. El proceso investigativo se sustentó metodológicamente en la investigación acción, estructurado en cuatro etapas. Las acciones de intervención se desarrollaron a través de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones como sitios webs, redes sociales, correo electrónico, ordenadores, la telefonía fija y móvil. Los recursos de autoayuda y ayuda diseñados ofrecieron información veraz sobre la enfermedad, propiciaron la mediación de conflictos interpersonales, la expresión y manejo de emociones asociadas al distanciamiento sanitario, favorecieron la reducción de pensamientos intrusos, así como la elaboración de estrategias de afrontamiento saludables, el cuidado y autocuidado. La expresión de las vivencias positivas de los beneficiarios avaló la pertinencia de la propuesta.
PALABRAS CLAVE: atención psicológica en crisis, COVID-19, innovación social.
ABSTRACT: A social innovation project for psychological care in crisis was implemented by COVID-19, using telepsychology as a fundamental tool. The research process was methodologically based on action research, structured in four stages. The intervention actions were developed through information and communication technologies such as websites, social networks, e-mail, computers, fixed and mobile telephony. The self-help resources designed offered truthful information about the disease, encouraged the mediation of interpersonal conflicts, the expression and management of emotions associated with health distancing, favored the reduction of intrusive thoughts as well as the development of healthy coping strategies, care and self-care. The expression of the positive experiences of the beneficiaries supported the relevance of the proposal.
... Self-help bibliotherapy is typically conceived of as a form of CBT, not as a form of bibliotherapy, and so mechanisms responsible for change are assumed to operate similarly in self-help and CBT. 54 This is not to say that no attention is paid to what distinguishes individual reading from face-to-face therapy. Some researchers speculate on the benefits that bibliotherapy might have over standard therapy: reducing the delay and cost and avoiding the embarrassment and fear of stigma often associated with engaging in formal therapy; fostering a feeling of 'universality' (the sense that one is not alone); increasing self-efficacy or empowering patients to work in their own time and at their own pace (especially where depression, anxiety or starvation-related attentional deficits might interfere with focus during a session with a therapist); and encouraging the consolidation and continuation of learning beyond discrete sessions. ...
Compared with self-help bibliotherapy, little is known about the efficacy of creative bibliotherapy or the mechanisms of its possible efficacy for eating disorders or any other mental health condition. It is clear, however, that fiction is widely used informally as a therapeutic or antitherapeutic tool and that it has considerable potential in both directions, with a possibly significant distinction between the effects of reading fiction about eating disorders (which may—contrary to theoretical predictions—be broadly negative in effect) or one’s preferred genre of other fiction (which may be broadly positive). Research on creative bibliotherapy, especially systematic experimental research, is lacking and requires a medical humanities approach, drawing on knowledge and methods from psychology and cognitive literary studies as well as clinical disciplines to expand our understanding of how the dynamic processes of interpretation mediate between textual structures and characteristics of mental health and illness.
... GSH is therapy-based self-help, which utilizes written materials in book form or bibliotherapy (Campbell & Smith 2003;Jorm et al. 2002). The underlying premise of the approach is to provide information, enable insight, stimulate discussion, learn from the problems others encounter in similar situations, offer a range of practical alternatives to problems, and facilitate problem resolution (Pantalon et al. 1995). From the perspective of caregivers of individuals with depression, GSH provides a basic framework to increase their resilience, and in so doing, enables them to cope with and support the person with depression to deal with negative thoughts and feelings associated with the illness. ...
Caring for a person with a mental illness can have adverse effects on caregivers; however, little is known about how best to help such caregivers. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of a cognitive behaviour therapy-guided self-help manual in increasing resilience in caregivers of individuals with depression, in comparison to caregivers who receive routine support only. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted, following CONSORT guidelines, with 54 caregivers allocated to parallel intervention (self-help manual) (n = 27) or control (standard support) (n = 27) groups. Resilience was assessed at baseline, post-test (week 8), and follow up (week 12). Intention-to-treat analyses were undertaken. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a significant difference in resilience scores between the three time points, showing a large effect. Pairwise comparisons between intervention and control groups indicated resilience to be significantly different between baseline and post-test, and between baseline and follow up, but not between post-test and follow up. Overall, the intervention group showed a slightly greater increase in resilience over time than the control group; however, the time-group interaction was not significant. Guided self-help is helpful in improving caregivers' resilience and could be used as an adjunct to the limited support provided to carers by mental health nurses and other clinicians.
... Such a research program has a clear model from the field of bibliotherapy, where the questions many researchers have already posed (Cuijpers, 1997;Marrs, 1995;Pantalon, Lubetkin, & Fishman, 1995;Scogin et al., 1989) apply directly to HTMHI. In addition to ascertaining process factors, which will emerge gradually as individual studies accumulate, the following questions need to be answered: ...
This study set out to examine the prospective risk of harm of the set of emerging technologically-based self-help mental health interventions, which this study termed 'Hi-Tech Mental Health Interventions' (HTMHI). In the first chapter, Bibliotherapy was reviewed as an important predecessor to HTMHI. Issues of applicability, validity and integration in clinical practice were discussed. The second half of the chapter introduced the concept of HTMHI, which were defined as: "Internet-connected programs, purposed for mental health treatment, prevention or promotion, based on sound psychological principles and used as an adjunct to therapy." A four-type classification framework was offered, comprising apps that are primarily reference, simple interaction, rich interaction and social in nature. Examples were offered to help the reader identify members of each class. The second chapter took up the subject of Internet addiction, which emerged in the literature in the mid-90's but has yet to find professional consensus. The chapter reviewed issues of: diagnosis, prevalence, subtypes, behavioral addiction, comorbidity, etiology and treatment. Areas of need for further research were identified. These two chapters set the stage for the final chapter, which uses a Venn diagram to identify a sub-population of mental health clients who are susceptible to pathological use of technology and also likely to adopt HTMHI. It is acknowledged that insufficient research exists to proclaim the risk of harm clear and undebatable. However, warning flags are identified by comparing features of HTMHI that overlap with Griffiths' theory about addiction-enabling situational and structural features of Internet-based gambling. Practical recommendations are made to psychologists interested in responsible integration of HTMHI in their clinical practice. Actionable steps are identified in the areas of psychoeducation, consultation and advocacy.
... Since this time, several empirical studies have been published testing the value of bibliotherapy on disorders such as anxiety, depression, and many other mental health diagnoses in both youth and adults (Marrs, 1995). The purpose of bibliotherapy over time has been to (a) provide information, (b) generate insight, (c) stimulate discussion, (d) create awareness of others' problems, (e) provide solutions to problems, and (f) troubleshoot problems after termination (Pantalon, Lubetkin, & Fishman, 1995). Advantages of bibliotherapy include its ease of use, inexpensive nature, and the potential to provide assistance to individuals who would otherwise be assigned to waiting lists, or who would not have access to traditional care (Williams, 2001). ...
... However, it is reasonable to assume that they may be able to deliver components of empirically validated psychological interventions in the form of brief written ''behavioral'' prescriptions. One such evidenced based psychological intervention is bibliotherapy (Ackerson, Scogin, McKendree-Smith, & Lyman, 1998; Cuijpers, 1997; Gregory, Schwer Canning, Lee, & Wise, 2004; Gould & Clum, 1993; Jamison and Scogin 1995; Pantalon, Lubetkin, & Fishman 1995; Scogin, Jamison, & Davis, 1990; Scogin, Jamison, Floyd, & Chaplin, 1998; Smith, Floyd, Jamison, & Scogin, 1997). This pilot study aimed to build upon the results of previous bibliotherapy research (Jamison & Scogin, 1995) in order to examine the practicality and feasibility of integrating physician-delivered behavioral prescriptions for bibliotherapy into the primary care environment. ...
Depression is a prevalent and expensive condition. Many patients are seeking and receiving treatment for depression in the
primary care setting where pharmaceutical interventions prevail as the predominant treatment. While psychotropic medications
can certainly help ameliorate mental and behavioral problems, all medical interventions carry with them certain risks and
side effects. A natural multiple-baseline (across participants), single-case experimental design was used in a pilot study
to evaluate the feasibility of “behavioral prescriptions” for cognitive-behavioral bibliotherapy with five depressed patients
in a primary care setting. Results indicated that final depression self-report scores were lower than baseline and pre-treatment
reports for every participant. At three month follow-up, three out of five participants reported no symptoms of depression,
one participant reported minimal symptoms of depression, and one participant reported mild symptoms of depression. Behavioral
prescriptions for cognitive bibliotherapy warrant further controlled research and may offer a cost-effective and practical
treatment alternative to the pharmaceutical intervention of depression in primary care.
... Cognitive behavioural bibliotherapy (hereafter, bibliotherapy) refers to active self-help using written materials in standard book form [2-5]. The purpose of bibliotherapy is to provide information, generate insight, stimulate discussion, create awareness of others' problems, provide solutions to problems, and troubleshoot problems in everyday life [6]. In relation to depression, it provides a basic framework, including exercises, to assist the reader to overcome negative feelings associated with the illness [7]. ...
The prevalence of depression is increasing markedly in Thailand. One way of helping people with depression is to increase their resilience; good resilience is associated with positive outcomes in depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a self-help manual on the resilience levels of individuals with depression living in the community in Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand.
Fifty-six participants with a diagnosis of moderate depression were assigned randomly to either an intervention (n = 27) or control (n = 29) group by means of independent random allocation, using computer generated random numbers. Fifty-four completed the study (two were excluded shortly after baseline data collection), so an available case analysis was undertaken. The intervention group were given a self-help manual and continued to receive standard care and treatment, while the control group continued to receive standard care and treatment. Both groups were also given a short weekly telephone call from a researcher. Participants were assessed at three time points: baseline (Week 0), immediate post-test (Week 8), and follow-up (Week 12). Data were collected between October 2007 and April 2008.
The findings showed statistically significant differences between the intervention and the control group, and within the intervention group, in their resilience levels. Simple main effects analyses of group within time showed a significant difference between both groups at follow-up (p = 0.001), with the intervention group having a higher resilience score than the control group. Simple main effect of time within the intervention group showed a significant increase in resilience scores from baseline to post-test time points (p < 0.001), from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.001), but not from post-test to follow-up (p = 0.298).
The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of bibliotherapy for increasing resilience in people with moderate depression in a Thai context. Bibliotherapy is straightforward to use, and an easily accessible addition to the standard approach to promoting recovery. It is incorporated readily as an adjunct to the work of mental health nurses and other professionals in promoting resilience and enhancing recovery in people with moderate depression in the community.
http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12611000905965.aspx.
... However, it is reasonable to assume that they may be able to deliver components of empirically supported cognitivebehavioral psychological interventions in the form of brief written ''behavioral'' prescriptions. One such evidencebased psychological intervention for depression is bibliotherapy (Ackerson, Scogin, McKendree-Smith, & Lyman, 1998; Cuijpers, 1997; Gould & Clum, 1993; Gregory, Schwer Canning, Lee, & Wise, 2004; Jamison & Scogin, 1995; Pantalon, Lubetkin, & Fishman, 1995; Scogin, Jamison, & Davis, 1990; Scogin, Jamison, Floyd, & Chaplin, 1998; Smith, Floyd, Jamison, & Scogin, 1997). Of the more impressive findings, Cuijpers' (1997) meta-analysis of bibliotherapy for depression that examined six studies yielded a large mean effect size of 0.82 (with a 95% confidence interval of 0.50–1.15); ...
This study was designed to determine whether a physician-delivered bibliotherapy prescription would compare favorably with the prevailing usual care treatment for depression in primary care (that often involves medication) and potentially offer an alternative. Six family physicians were trained to write and deliver prescriptions for cognitive-behavioral bibliotherapy. Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive either usual care or a behavioral prescription to read the self-help book, Feeling Good (Burns, D. D. (1999). Feeling good: The new mood therapy. New York: HarperCollins). The treatment groups did not differ in terms of overall outcome variables. Patients in both treatment groups reported statistically significant decreases in depression symptoms, decreases in dysfunctional attitudes, and increases in quality of life. Although not statistically significant, the mean net medical expenses in the behavioral prescription group were substantially less. This study provided empirical evidence that a behavioral prescription for Feeling Good may be as effective as standard care, which commonly involves an antidepressant prescription.
Like other consumers of ‘low-brow’ genres, self-help readers elicit polarized views in the literature. While little research to date has focused specifically on self-help readers with a history of mental illness, existing commentary reveals a particular tension: on the one hand, clinical researchers report positive outcomes for depressed readers engaged in bibliotherapy programs using self-help books, similar or superior to medication or talk therapy; on the other, scholars of media and culture express misgivings about the quality of self-help texts and highlight the negative potential of therapeutic discourse for individual readers and audiences more generally. By asking what actual readers do with self-help books, however, my research suggests an altogether more complex interaction between readers and the books they choose and use – especially as they navigate experiences of mental illness. Leveraging a reader-response heuristic in which I interviewed a cohort of Australian readers, this paper details some of the ways in which habitual consumers of self-help books describe their own interpretive activities, problematizing previous research that either emphasizes or downplays the significant expertise of vernacular audiences.
La rápida expansión del nuevo coronavirus, agente causante de la COVID-19, ha generado
una crisis a nivel internacional no solo desde el punto de vista sanitario, sino también
económico y social. Ante esta situación, la psicología desempeña un papel relevante: como
ciencia del comportamiento tiene la función de predecir las afectaciones de las personas
generadas por los cambios debidos a esta crisis, del mismo modo en que debe tratar de
reducir su impacto emocional mediante la promoción de conductas adaptativas.
En situaciones de crisis, son múltiples los tipos de ayuda que se pueden ofrecer. En este
libro se propone la autoayuda como una herramienta de apoyo psicológico, seleccionada
por la impronta de la pandemia y por su alcance para reforzar estrategias de afrontamiento
ante esta. La autoayuda se utiliza para designar la opción de ayudarse a sí mismo, sin que
medie el seguimiento o la supervisión de terceros, que en nuestro caso se corresponde con
el profesional de la psicología. El soporte que utiliza la persona le permite enfrentar una
situación difícil e incentivar una sensación de bienestar personal.
A partir del análisis de las necesidades de la población, las posibilidades del contexto
villaclareño y la inserción en un trabajo más amplio de psicoayuda, el Centro de Bienestar
Universitario de la Universidad Central «Marta Abreu» de Las Villas conformó un equipo de
trabajo para concebir herramientas de apoyo a través de la concepción de Boletines de
autoayuda, y facilitar de este modo recursos útiles para el desarrollo de habilidades
aplicables en estos momentos de crisis a la vida diaria, recursos que se sustentan
psicológicamente en los mecanismos reguladores y autorreguladores de la unidad
cognitivo-afectivo-conductual de la personalidad.
El libro nos ofrece orientaciones que favorecen el desarrollo personal, además de
información sobre diferentes problemáticas o fortalezas que pueden potenciarse. En los
primeros capítulos se presenta la situación que vivimos ante la amenaza de la COVID-19
como un desafío personal. Se presentan recomendaciones para el manejo de las
emociones e ideas para crear rutinas más placenteras.
Otros capítulos nos proponen reflexionar sobre el tiempo en familia y la importancia de
fomentar en nuestros niños, niñas, adolescentes y jóvenes el desarrollo de habilidades deaprendizaje para el estudio desde casa, que pueden continuar empleándose cuando
retornen a las escuelas.
Especial atención se le dedica en este libro a las necesidades de diferentes grupos de
edades, de modo que se proponen capítulos dedicados a los adultos mayores y sus
familias. Además, se incluyen orientaciones para aquellas personas que conviven con
enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, para un mayor autocuidado en tiempos de
COVID-19. También se ofrecen recomendaciones para el tratamiento que se debe dar
desde la familia a los niños con necesidades educativas especiales.
Asimismo, se abordan las premisas para preservar y potenciar la salud cognitiva como
elemento protector en nuestras vidas. Se ofrecen pautas para el cuidado y autocuidado, y
en los últimos capítulos del libro se prepara a las personas, instituciones y sociedad en
general para afrontar con éxito la nueva normalidad. Se pretende que las orientaciones
ofrecidas en este libro contribuyan a un mayor crecimiento personal y favorezcan una mejor adaptación a un escenario tan complejo como el que nos ha impuesto la COVID-19. Incluso, muchas de estas recomendaciones podrá incorporarlas a su estilo de vida para favorecer su bienestar cuando pase la crisis sanitaria.
The growing incidence of depression in developing countries, such as Thailand, is placing increasing pressure on public mental health services, and those living in rural areas have limited access to these services. Resilience is integral to the recovery of people with depression and to caregivers. This parallel-group randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a guided self-help manual in improving resilience in adults diagnosed with moderate depression and their primary caregivers in Thailand. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the approach is an effective way of increasing resilience in adults with depression and their caregivers.
This chapter defines bibliotherapy as psychotherapeutic programs presented in a written self-help format as opposed to fictional stories or religious texts. It outlines the research literature regarding the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bibliotherapy for a wide variety of problems. It discusses the literature on process variables leading to therapeutic change in patients utilizing bibliotherapy. It addresses the role of bibliotherapy within the context of a stepped care and integrated care environment. It proposes adjunctive treatment as a research and dissemination agenda for the use of bibliotherapy. There are many obvious advantages to bibliotherapy over traditional psychotherapy such as the ability to self-pace, allowing individuals who are unable to receive mental health services due to geographical or transportational barriers receive treatment and providing cost-effectiveness for those who cannot afford psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy, privacy that can lessen stigmatization or labeling, and coping skills for life after treatment has ended. Despite these benefits, there are still many unknowns in the area of bibliotherapy such as for whom it is effective, for which psychological problems it is effective, what degree of adjunctive professional or nonprofessional help is needed, and what role bibliotherapy can play in integrated health care systems.
A massive, systemic, and yet largely silent revolution is occurring in mental health today and is gathering steam for tomorrow: self-help efforts without professional intervention. The self-help revolution traverses multiple disciplines and entails diverse activities: changing behavior by oneself, reading and applying self-help books, attending support and 12-step groups, watching movies and incorporating their cinematic lessons, surfing the Internet for advice and treatment, and ingesting herbal medications without medical supervision. These and additional examples all point to people making concerted efforts to change themselves on their own. In some ways, the self-help movement merely represents a continuation of the timeless human quest to understand and conquer behavioral disorders. In ancient Greece, early Africa, and colonial America, people relied on self-change. But in more fundamental ways, the self-help revolution in mental health is relatively recent and qualitatively different. The numbers, in this case anyway, do not lie. Consider the following representative statistics attesting to the surge of self-help. More than 70% of Americans suffering from a diagnosable behavioral or mental disorder will never receive specialized mental health care and instead will grapple with the disorder on their own and with the support of others (Kessler et al., 1994; president's Commission on Mental Health, 1978). Forty-two percent of American adults currently use alternative therapies, up from 34% just 7 years ago (Eisenberg et al., 1998). Worldwide, an estimated 80% of individuals use herbal medicines; in the United States, last year an estimated 7.5 million individuals tried St. John's Wort to combat depression and 10.8 million tried Ginkgo biloba to enhance memory (Greenwald, 1998). Fully 5% of American adults attended a self-help group in the past year (Eisenberg et al., 1998). Two-thirds of all Internet users have sought healthcare information there (Nickelson, 1999), and we cannot even begin to quantify the burgeoning reliance on the Internet to access information and advice. A steady diet of self-help books appears at the estimated rate of 2,000 per year (Rosen, 1993), and they routinely occupy prominent places on the best-seller lists. They are written on every conceivable self-help topic, as the following list of self-help titles vividly demonstrates: Dance naked in your living room How to juggle women without getting killed or going broke I lost 600 pounds: I can sun help you lose 30 Change your underwear, change your life Dated Jekyll, married Hyde Boldly live as you have never lived before: Life lessons from star Trtk Asshole no more: A self-help guide for recovering assholes and their victims The Fairy Godmother's guide to dating and mating Celestial 911-Call with your right brain for answers In this article, I will briefly trace the reasons for this self-help revolution and, more urgently, argue for organized psychology's vital involvement in it.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviour therapy guided self-help manual for enhancing the experience of caregiving of family carers of individuals with depression.
The prevalence of depression is increasing markedly in Thailand. While primary carers give most of the support for individuals with depression, they receive little support from mental health services in this critical role.
A randomized controlled trial.
Carers were randomized to guided self-help (n = 27), while the control group received standard information and support (n = 27). Both groups also received a short weekly telephone call. Participants were assessed at three time points; the outcome measure was the Experience of Caregiving Inventory. A doubly multivariate analysis of variance (anova) procedure, including between-group and within-group factors, was implemented. Fieldwork was from October 2007-May 2008.
Fifty-four carers completed the study and intent-to-treat analyses were undertaken. The findings showed there was a significant reduction in the total negative experience of caring, from baseline to post-treatment, in the intervention group recipients of the manual compared with the control group and treatment effects were maintained at one-month follow-up. Similarly, a significant improvement in the total positive experience of caring occurred, from baseline to post-treatment, in the intervention group in contrast with the control group and these outcomes were sustained at one-month follow-up.
Guided self-help strengthen carers' positive and reduces their negative, experience of caring. The study contributes to the limited evidence base about this approach in a developing country such as Thailand.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
This study establishes a relation between metacognitive functioning and comprehension level of university students when reading scientific articles. The 33 psychology students who participated in the study, read and reported on two types of scientific articles. Their reading and writing processes was video taped. Their performances are categorized based on levels of planning and monitoring-control, ranging from non-regulated to highly self-regulated. Their reading comprehension is evaluated in terms of integration levels. The study found a significant and positive correlation between metacognitive functioning and comprehension levels. The higher the metacognitive function level, the greater the reading comprehension level. The reading comprehension level, and the lower the metacognitive level, the lower the reading comprehension level. RESUMEN Este estudio relaciona el funcionamiento metacognitivo de estudiantes universitarios al leer artículos científicos y su nivel de comprensión. Participaron 33 estudiantes de psicología, quienes leyeron y reseñaron dos tipos de artículos científicos. Su actividad fue grabada en video durante el proceso de lectura y escritura. Se describen sus desempeños a partir de niveles de planificación y monitoreo-control, desde niveles no regulados hasta muy autorregulados. La evaluación de su comprensión se expresa en niveles de integración. Se encontró una correlación significativa y positiva entre el funcionamiento metacognitivo y los niveles de comprensión, lo que implica que a mayor nivel de funciona-miento metacognitivo, mayor nivel de comprensión lectora y a menor nivel de funcionamiento metacognitivo, menor nivel de comprensión. Palabras clave: Funcionamiento metacognitivo, lectura, planificación, monitoreo-control.
Waiting Time in Psychotherapy - and How to Make Use of It Even after the new psychotherapy law has been implemented, waiting times of several months remain rather common in the German mental health care system. For ethical, practical, and therapeutic reasons, however, patients who are in serious need of treatment should not be left unattended. Many practitioners therefore suggest self-help treatments such as psychoeducational information, bibliotherapy, or supportive groups to their waiting patients. The present study provides an overview on possibilities of preparing waiting psychotherapy patients for their upcoming therapy as well as implementing secondary prevention during the waiting time. As a basic, we suggest that the proposed methods should be in line with the treatment rationale of the subsequent therapy.
The publication and use of psychological self-help books are ubiquitous in our society. Nevertheless, little research is available concerning the public’s attitudes toward such books and the psychological variables associated with these attitudes. The current investigation involved the development and validation of the Self-Help Reading Attitudes Survey with a sample of 264 male and female college students. The resultant 40-item measure was found to be psychometrically sound, with acceptable reliability and both discriminant and convergent validity. Persons with more favorable attitudes toward reading self-help books held better attitudes about reading in general, were more psychologically minded, had a stronger self-control orientation, and reported greater life satisfaction. Women and psychology majors had more positive self-help reading attitudes than did men and nonpsychology majors. The utility of this new assessment with respect to further research and clinical applications was discussed.
Over the last decades there has been an important increase in the use of self-help literature. The present research evaluates the effect of self-help books on anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, dysfunctional attitudes and assertive behaviour. These variables were assessed in a 20 healthy volunteers before and after reading the self-help book (experimental group) and in a 20 healthy volunteers who did not read any self-help book (control group). While the experimental group improved their scores in anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and dysfunctional attitudes, the control group did not show any statistically significant differences between pre- and post-scores, except in fear of negative evaluation. In general, the effect size (Cohen's d) and the percentage of change was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. These results show the therapeutic benefits of this sort of literature in non-clinical population. Implications for the improvement of psychological variables are discussed.
Iraqi people have been experiencing traumatic events continually for several decades. Consequently, high prevalence rates of trauma-related symptoms have been documented. In contrast, there is a clear lack in mental health services available for traumatised people. This study aimed to screen for PTSD, depression, and anxiety, assess related variables (e.g. coping strategies, posttraumatic cognitions, and social support), and develop a self-help guide (SHG) for traumatised university students.
Methods: Self-report scales were validated via two studies. The first study validated three scales, including Baghdad Trauma History Screen (BTHS), Brief Cope, and Social Support in a sample of 360 (140 males, 220 females) university students. In the second study, the psychometric properties of the scales of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (SPTSS), Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PCTI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were gained in a sample of 505 (199 males, 306 females) university students. The SHG was developed. Its effectiveness was examined in a sample of participants who reported symptoms that fully met PTSD criteria. The sample included 125 participants: 65 in the experimental group (used the guide for six weeks) and 60 in the control group (did not use the guide). Baseline tests were conducted in both groups before conducting the experiment and post tests afterward. In addition, focus groups were conducted with experts and university students to evaluate the SHG.
Results: The scales were reliable and valid. Eighty four percent (424/505) of participants reported at least one traumatic event. Thirty five percent of 424 traumatised students fully met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD with high levels of Depression and anxiety. Only 11% of participants reported no symptoms at all. Females reported more symptoms than males. The results also revealed that active coping, seeking support, and perceived social support from family was associated with low levels of PTSD, while high levels of PTSD related to the number of traumatic events either experienced by participants themselves or their family members or friends, non problem focused coping, negative posttraumatic cognitions about self and the total posttraumatic negative cognitions. After using the SHG, there were significant increases in the tendency to use active and seeking support coping and significant decreases in non problem-focused coping, negative cognitions about self and the total negative cognitions. There was a significant reduction in levels of PTSD. This reduction related to re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms but not hyperarousal. The level of depression was also reduced. Anxiety was not reduced. However, the experiment was not double blind due to practical reasons and this may influence the results.
Conclusion: using the SHG enhanced coping strategies and reduced negative cognitions about self. This led to a reduction in PTSD and depression. Several implications were presented. In addition, self-report scales that validated in this study can be used in future research in the field of traumatic stress in Arabic-speaking populations.
A massive, systemic, and yet largely silent revolution is occurring in mental health today and is gathering steam for tomorrow: self-help efforts without professional intervention. The self-help revolution traverses multiple disciplines and entails diverse activities. In this article, the author briefly traces the reasons for this self-help revolution and, more urgently, argues for organized psychology's vital involvement in it. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The purpose of this study was to critique in-print, post-1990 copyrighted stepfamily self-help books in order to provide guidance to helping professionals who work with these complex families. Of the 63 books reviewed, trained coders were able to strongly recommend 13 books for being well organized, for relying on clinical or empirical sources of information, and for offering practical and concrete advice specific enough for stepfamily members to implement.
The Internet is a vast international network of computers linked to each other. Users can send electronic mail quickly and easily to each other—free or at low cost. Users can also access pages of information stored as computer files on publicly available locations called Websites. The development and widespread use of electronic mail and the World Wide Web (WWW) has many implications for clinical practice, prevention, education, and research related to cognitive behavior therapy. This article presents an overview of current usage on the Internet, provides examples of how mental health professionals can use the Web to enhance practice, presents speculation about possible future applications of the Internet, and discusses major changes that may take place that would affect clinicians, researchers, and consumers of cognitive behavior therapy.
Scientific investigations support the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of body dissatisfaction across a range of populations. Grant and Cash (1995) used CBT with 23 extremely body-dissatisfied women and found equivalent and successful outcomes for body-image CBT administered in group therapy versus a self-directed format with only modest therapist contact. The present study compared Grant and Cash's data with those of an equally body-dissatisfied sample (n = 12) treated via Cash's (1995) CBT self-help book administered with minimal professional contact. The latter program produced significant improvements in body image and adjustment, without changes in body weight. Outcomes and levels of compliance were equivalent to those that Grant and Cash had found under conditions involving greater degrees of professional contact. The study's limitations and its scientific, clinical, and ethical implications for the use of body-image CBT are discussed.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment of body-image dissatisfaction and dysphoria, even when largely self-administered with only modest therapist contact. The present investigation compared the relative effectiveness of selected components of Cash's (1997) body-image CBT program administered in self-help modality. Participants were 89 body-dissatisfied persons who enrolled in the program and were randomly assigned to one of two 6-week, self-help conditions: (a) psychoeducation plus self-monitoring, or (b) this intervention combined with procedures to identify and alter dysfunctional body-image cognitions. All assessments and materials were distributed and returned by postal mail. Among program completers, both conditions produced statistically and clinically significant improvements in multiple facets of body image and psychosocial functioning. Despite high levels of program attrition (53%), results were confirmed by the more conservative intent-to-treat analyses. Predictors of attrition were identified. Further analyses ruled out several variables as moderators of program effectiveness. The unexpected lack of differential effectiveness between the two self-help conditions was possibly the result of low compliance with the added cognitive-change components. We discussed the limitations and implications of our findings vis-à-vis the clinical use and scientific study of components of body-image CBT in various modalities of program delivery.
The publication and use of psychological self-help books are ubiquitous in our society. Nevertheless, little research is available concerning the public’s attitudes toward such books and the psychological variables associated with these attitudes. The current investigation involved the development and validation of the Self-Help Reading Attitudes Survey with a sample of 264 male and female college students. The resultant 40-item measure was found to be psychometrically sound, with acceptable reliability and both discriminant and convergent validity. Persons with more favorable attitudes toward reading self-help books held better attitudes about reading in general, were more psychologically minded, had a stronger self-control orientation, and reported greater life satisfaction. Women and psychology majors had more positive self-help reading attitudes than did men and nonpsychology majors. The utility of this new assessment with respect to further research and clinical applications was discussed.
Depression is projected to become the major mental health problem in Thailand. One way of helping people with depression is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy incorporated in bibliotherapy. The study used a randomised controlled
trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week modularised self-help intervention program in promoting resilience in people living in the community with moderate
depression. Based on a power analysis, a sample of 56
individuals with moderate depression was recruited through Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. Data were collected with standardised
psychometric instruments, including Resilience Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Data were
collected at baseline, at the end of intervention, and four weeks after the completion of the intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS, Version 16.0. The findings showed there were statistically significant differences between the intervention and the control group in their resilience, depression and psychological distress levels.
The participants who completed the self-help manual achieved greater resilience and lower levels of depression and psychological distress than the control group.
The findings support the use of bibliotherapy for people with moderate depression in a Thai context. Bibliotherapy is straightforward to use, and an easily accessible
addition to the standard approach to promoting recovery from depression. It is readily incorporated into the work of mental health professionals in promoting resilience and enhancing recovery in people with moderate depression in the
community.
En las últimas décadas se ha producido un importante auge en el uso de la literatura de auto-ayuda. El presente estudio evalúa los efectos de la lectura de un manual de auto-ayuda sobre la ansiedad, el temor a la evaluación negativa, las creencias disfuncionales y la asertividad. Estas variables fueron evaluadas en una muestra de 20 sujetos normales antes y después de la lectura de un manual de autoayuda (grupo experimental) y 20 sujetos normales que no leyeron ningún manual (grupo control). Mientras el grupo experimental mejoró las puntuaciones de ansiedad, temor a la evaluación negativa y creencias disfuncionales después de la lectura, el grupo control no mostró diferencias significativas entre ambas medidas, excepto en temor a la evaluación negativa. En general, el tamaño del efecto (d de Cohen) y el porcentaje de cambio fue mayor en el grupo experimental que en el control. Estos resultados indican los beneficios terapéuticos de este tipo de literatura en la población general. Se discuten sus implicaciones en la mejora de variables psicológicas.
Over the last decades there has been an important increase in the use of self-help literature. The present researchevaluates the effect of self-help books on anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, dysfunctional attitudes and assertivebehaviour. These variables were assessed in a 20 healthy volunteers before and after reading the self-help book(experimental group) and in a 20 healthy volunteers who did not read any self-help book (control group). While theexperimental group improved their scores in anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and dysfunctional attitudes, thecontrol group did not show any statistically significant differences between pre- and post-scores, except in fear ofnegative evaluation. In general, the effect size (Cohen’s d) and the percentage of change was higher in the experimentalgroup than in the control group. These results show the therapeutic benefits of this sort of literature in non-clinicalpopulation. Implications for the improvement of psychological variables are discussed.
Clinicians, policy makers, and health care administrators are attempting to improve depression outcomes in the primary care setting. Despite positive evidence about the efficacy of self-help materials and psychoeducational interventions, use of educational materials designed for the primary care patient are receiving little attention in present depression initiatives. The present study describes the use and evaluation of three educational materials by depressed primary care patients.
As a part of a randomized control trial, depressed primary care patients were identified by primary care physicians and randomized to a clinical trial exploring a new method of treating depression. Patients assigned to the new method of treatment received a package of educational materials at the time of the baseline interview. These materials included two brief interactive booklets (medication booklet, behavioral health booklet) and a short video. The present analysis concerns data obtained from 108 intervention patients in a telephone survey conducted 1 week after they received the package of educational materials.
Approximately three quarters of the subjects reported that they read or viewed all of the educational products. The majority rated the products as somewhat to significantly helpful: medication booklet 81%; behavioral health booklet 82%; and video 69%. Previously reported results include findings of significantly better medication adherence and improved clinical outcomes by patients with major depression who received a primary care intervention that included the educational products discussed in this paper.
Educational materials may play a significant role in improving depression treatment outcomes in the primary care setting.
This article describes a systematic and integral method of incorporating self-help books into psychotherapy as a collaborative function. We address the distinctions between self-help and bibliotherapy, consider bibliotherapy as adjunctive or integrative to psychotherapy, and outline the multiple uses of bibliotherapy for clinical purposes. How to apply self-help books in psychotherapy and ways to select books are illustrated by a case example. Indications and contraindications for bibliotherapy in therapy are outlined.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for body-image difficulties and disorders. The current study evaluated two combined components of Cash's (1997) self-administered body-image CBT program--psychoeducation and self-monitoring. Twenty-five body-dissatisfied college students enrolled in the three-week program and were required to hand in homework weekly in brief meetings with the experimenter. From pre- to posttest, participants became significantly more satisfied with their appearance and reported less situational body-image dysphoria, less weight-related concern, and less investment in their appearance as a source of self-evaluation. Changes generalized to improved self-esteem, eating attitudes, and social anxiety. Better self-monitoring compliance predicted greater reductions in body-image dysphoria. The study's methodological limitations and clinical implications are considered, and mechanisms of change are discussed.
A survey concerning the recommendation of self-help books to clients was completed by 209 psychologists (66.5% male, 94.3% White, mean age = 45 yrs). Most of the respondents indicated that they did prescribe self-help books infrequently. The likelihood of prescribing books was significantly related to the psychologist's gender, with women recommending books more often than did men, and to employment setting, with private practitioners recommending books more often than did academicians. Psychologists had little familiarity with popular self-help books but thought favorably of the ones of which they knew. Respondents' evaluations of 29 best-selling self-help books are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Examined the perceived harm and benefits that psychological self-help or self-improvement books were reported to cause in 100 psychotherapy patients (aged 18–64 yrs). 43 Ss reported reading such books. Books fell into 5 broad categories: (1) positive mental attitude, motivational, and encouragement; (2) family, marital, and interpersonal relationships; (3) the Bible and religious books; (4) Alcoholics Anonymous and alcohol education; and (5) general psychological knowledge and self-understanding. While 4 Ss reported mild harm or distress from the books, 34 Ss reported benefit without harm. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Examined data from a survey of 121 psychologists in 2 urban areas regarding their experiences with and attitudes toward self-help books. Ss were found to be quite positive in their evaluation of self-help works, and most prescribed them to patients. Locale (east vs west coast) and orientation differences were observed in prescriptive practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Reviews the current status of self-help behavioral treatment manuals. Organizing concepts and strategies for the development and evaluation of such programs are described. Programs that have been published or empirically tested for the treatment of phobias, smoking, obesity, sexual dysfunctions, assertiveness, child behavior problems, study skills, and physical fitness, as well as general instructional texts, are reviewed. It is concluded that the validation of available self-help behavior therapy manuals is extremely variable at the present time. It is suggested that future research evaluate manuals under conditions of intended usage, recruit clinically relevant Ss, employ follow-through and cost-effectiveness indices, include appropriate controls and follow-up assessments, and attempt to identify S or other clinical predictors of treatment outcome. The clinical and ethical issues raised by self-help programs are also briefly considered. (5 p ref)
Factor analysis of the Self-Help Inventory (Burns, Shaw, & Crocker, 1987) in a group of 307 consecutive outpatients seeking cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for affective disorders revealed 3 factors that assessed the frequency with which subjects used active coping strategies when depressed, the perceived helpfulness of these coping strategies, and their willingness to learn new coping strategies. The Frequency and Helpfulness scales did not predict patients' subsequent compliance with self-help assignments or their rate of improvement during the first 12 weeks of treatment. These findings suggest that very resourceful patients are not better candidates for CBT than other patients and that patients' expectations about the value of active coping strategies do not predict the response to CBT. In contrast, the Willingness scale was correlated with the degree of improvement during the first 12 weeks of treatment. The Willingness scale and compliance with self-help assignments made additive and separate contributions to clinical improvement. Further research on motivational factors may be indicated.
Asserts that G. M. Rosen (see record 1987-16844-001), in his statements about self-help books, failed to consider what is involved in selling books on any subject. It is acknowledged that some publishers' claims go beyond the author's intentions. The author attempts to place publishing into perspective for those psychologists who want to publish books that should be read by a general audience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The concept of resistance rarely if ever arose in the early literature on behavior therapy. Most of the original descriptions of behavior therapy conveyed an underlying assumption that, apart from their presenting problems, clients were totally “rational” beings who readily complied with the intervention procedures set forth. As behavior therapists began applying their procedures to unselected cases and were confronted with a wide variety of complex clinical problems, it became strikingly evident that the simple application of the appropriate technique was not always successful. Although the therapist might have been clear about the determinants associated with any problem behaviors, and may also have felt confident that certain therapeutic techniques had a good chance of bringing about the needed change, the clarity of the clinician’s thinking was not always matched by the client’s desire or ability to comply with the intervention procedures. It has been in the face of such instances of therapeutic noncompliance that the topic of resistance has come to the fore in behavior therapy.
Phobic outpatients were randomly assigned to receive self-exposure instructions from a psychiatrist, a self-help book or a computer programmed with those instructions. 40 agoraphobics completed the study and 6 did not (2 per condition). Mean therapy time of the psychiatrist per agoraphobic in the 3 conditions was 3.1, 0 and 1.2 hours respectively. All 3 groups of agoraphobics improved substantially up to 6 months followup, with no significant differences between them. Appropriate exposure instructions can confer major therapeutic benefits despite only brief contact with the clinician; outcome was comparable with that from therapist-aided exposure or antidepressants in other studies using similar phobia scales.
Twenty-six moderately obese subjects participated in a stepped approach to weight control. A minimal intervention program was presented in Step 1 and a bibliotherapy problem-solving program in Step 2. At the end of the year of treatment and the 3-month follow-up, 4 subjects needed only Step 1 and lost an average of 30.0 pounds (SD=12.5). Twenty-two subjects needed to use both Steps 1 and 2; 11 of them complied well with the bibliotherapy program and lost 24.8 pounds (SD=11.2) whereas 11 complied poorly and lost 15.7 pounds (SD=11.5). High compliers lost significantly more weight than low compliers and, at the end of treatment and follow-up, were significantly lower in percentage overweight. All subjects lost an average of 22.1 pounds (SD=12.4) and were modestly overweight by the end of follow-up (M=20.7, SD=14.3); six of these subjects reached their calculated ideal weight. Individual data were examined for subjects who were on the minimal intervention program only, for successful subjects who completed the bibliotherapy program, and for subjects who reached ideal weight or relapsed. It was concluded that subjects' differential response to treatment supported the use of a multi-level approach as a possible low-cost public health intervention for the treatment of obesity.
[The authors] obtained the self-help book ratings of more than 500 experts in clinical and counseling psychology.
[This guide] can be used effectively by both mental health professionals and the lay public. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Describes an approach to rational-emotive psychotherapy based on self-analysis and self-questioning which can be used to solve personal problems and emotional disturbances. Case histories are included, and methods of recognizing neurotic behavior, overcoming the influence of the past, easing fears of failure, and conquering anxiety are described. (71/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The present study examines the effectiveness of a self-help approach with minimal therapist contact that targeted a panic-disordered population with mild agoraphobia. Thirty-one individuals meeting the criteria for panic disorder were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: (1) Wait-list control (WL); (2) Bibliotherapy using a self-help book (BT); and (3) Individual therapy using Guided Imaginal Coping (ITGIC). Total experimenter contact time for subjects in the WL and BT groups was for assessment purposes only and was 2.5 and 3.0 hours, respectively; ITGIC subjects required 10.5 hours. Results indicate that, in general, subjects in the BT group were significantly more improved than subjects in WL, and not significantly different from those in ITGIC. Implications for the treatment of panic-disordered individuals are discussed.
We conducted a meta-analysis of 40 self-help studies examining 61 treatments which used as control groups no-treatment, wait-list, or placebo comparisons. We found an overall treatment effect size for self-help interventions of 0.76 at posttreatment and an effect size of 0.53 at follow-up. Studies that used a more stringent control group — placebo — had a lower mean effect size than studies utilizing a no-treatment control. No differences were found for unadulterated self-help treatments and those with minimal contact from a therapist or which were in fact therapist-assisted. Some target problems were more amenable to self-help approaches, including skills deficits and diagnostic problems, such as fears, depression, headache, and sleep disturbance. Habit disturbances such as smoking, drinking, and overeating, were less amenable to self-help treatments. Compliance with the treatment regimen was found to improve treatment effects. While effect size was negatively related to duration of treatment, this effect was largely a function of duration being confounded with type of problem. Results were examined from the perspective of problems that are targetable with self-help approaches. Recommendations for improvements in research design for future studies are also made.
Couple's therapy workbook
- R B Stuart
- B Jacobson
Stuart, R. B., & Jacobson, B. (1987). Couple's therapy workbook. Champaign, IL: Research Press.
The art andscience of rational eating
- A E Ellis
- M Abrams
- L Dengelegi
Ellis, A. E., Abrams, M., & Dengelegi, L. (1992). The art andscience of rational eating. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books.
Why do I need you to love me in order to like myself How to stop your need for approval from destroying your relationship and your life
- B S Lubetkin
- E Oumano
Lubetkin, B. S., & Oumano, E. (1992). Why do I need you to love me in order to like myself." How to stop your need for approval from destroying your relationship and your life. New York: Longmeadow Press.
The relaxation response A stepped approach to weight control: A minimal interven-tion and a bibliotherapy problem-solving approach
- H Benson
Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Avon. Black, D. R., & Threlfall, D. E. (1986). A stepped approach to weight control: A minimal interven-tion and a bibliotherapy problem-solving approach. Behavior Therapy, 17, 144-157.
Reinventing your life: How to break free of negative life patterns
- J Young
Young, J., & Klosko, j. s. (1993). Reinventing your life: How to break free of negative life patterns. New York: Penguin.
Controlyour depression
- R M Lewinsohn
- R E Munoz
- M A Youngren
- A Zeiss
Lewinsohn, R M., Munoz, R. E, Youngren, M. A., & Zeiss, A. (1992). Controlyour depression. New York: Simon & Schuster.
You can't have your cake and eat it too: A program for controlling bulimia
- K Weiss
- M Katzman
- S Wolchick
Weiss, K., Katzman, M., & Wolchick, S. (1988). You can't have your cake and eat it too: A program for controlling bulimia. New York: Pergamon Press.
Anger How to live with and without it
- A E Ellis
Ellis, A. E. (1985). Anger." How to live with and without it. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group.
What you can change and what you can't The complete guide to successful self-improvement Promises and prescriptions: Self-help books in mental health and medicine Do-it-yourself therapy: The prescription of self-help books by psychologists
- M E Seligman
Seligman, M. E. E (1994). What you can change and what you can't." The complete guide to successful self-improvement. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Starker, S. (1986). Promises and prescriptions: Self-help books in mental health and medicine. American Journal of Health Promotion, 1, 19-24, 68. Starker, S. (1988). Do-it-yourself therapy: The prescription of self-help books by psychologists. Psy-chotherapy, 25, 142-146.
How to stubbornly rorase to make yourself miserable about anything--yes, anything
- A E Ellis
Ellis, A. E. (1988). How to stubbornly rorase to make yourself miserable about anything--yes, anything/. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group.
When AA doesn't work for you: Rational steps to quitting alcohol
- A E Ellis
- E H Velten
- J Baer
Ellis, A. E., & Velten, E. (1992). When AA doesn't work for you: Rational steps to quitting alcohol. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books. Fensterheim, H., & Baer, J. (1975). Don't sayyes whenyou mean to say na New York: Dell.
Multiform treatment of agoraphobia
- S T Fishman
Fishman, S. T. (1980). Multiform treatment of agoraphobia. New York: Guilford Press.
The anxiety and phobia workbook Feeling good The new mood therapy New York: New American Library Intimate connections The feeling good handbook Coping styles, homework compliance, and the effec-tiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy
- E J Bourne
Bourne, E. J. (1990). The anxiety and phobia workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger. Burns, D. D. (1980). Feeling good." The new mood therapy. New York: New American Library. Burns, D. D. (1985). Intimate connections. New York: New American Library. Burns, D. D. (1989). The feeling good handbook. New York: William Morrow. Burns, D. D., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Coping styles, homework compliance, and the effec-tiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Journal of Consulting and ClinicalPsychology, 59, 305-311.
The road less traveled Notes to myself My struggle to become a person
- M S Peck
Peck, M. S. (1978). The road less traveled. New York: Simon & Schuster, Prather, H. (1970). Notes to myself." My struggle to become a person. Moab, UT: Real People Press.
Male sexuality: The first book that tells the truth about men, sex, and pleasure
- B Zilbergeld
Zilbergeld, B. (1978). Male sexuality: The first book that tells the truth about men, sex, and pleasure. New York: Bantam.