BackgroundMany studies have provided evidence for the effectiveness of Internet-based stand-alone interventions for mental disorders. A newer form of intervention combines the strengths of face-to-face (f2f) and Internet approaches (blended interventions).ObjectiveThe aim of this review was to provide an overview of (1) the different formats of blended treatments for adults, (2) the stage of treatment in which these are applied, (3) their objective in combining face-to-face and Internet-based approaches, and (4) their effectiveness.MethodsStudies on blended concepts were identified through systematic searches in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Keywords included terms indicating face-to-face interventions (“inpatient,” “outpatient,” “face-to-face,” or “residential treatment”), which were combined with terms indicating Internet treatment (“internet,” “online,” or “web”) and terms indicating mental disorders (“mental health,” “depression,” “anxiety,” or “substance abuse”). We focused on three of the most common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and substance abuse).ResultsWe identified 64 publications describing 44 studies, 27 of which were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results suggest that, compared with stand-alone face-to-face therapy, blended therapy may save clinician time, lead to lower dropout rates and greater abstinence rates of patients with substance abuse, or help maintain initially achieved changes within psychotherapy in the long-term effects of inpatient therapy. However, there is a lack of comparative outcome studies investigating the superiority of the outcomes of blended treatments in comparison with classic face-to-face or Internet-based treatments, as well as of studies identifying the optimal ratio of face-to-face and Internet sessions.ConclusionsSeveral studies have shown that, for common mental health disorders, blended interventions are feasible and can be more effective compared with no treatment controls. However, more RCTs on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of blended treatments, especially compared with nonblended treatments are necessary.

BackgroundComputerized versions of well-established measurements such as the PHQ-9 are widely used, but data on the comparability of psychometric properties are scarce.ObjectiveOur objective was to compare the interformat reliability of the paper-and-pen version with a computerized version of the PHQ-9 in a clinical sample.Methods130 participants with mental health disorders were recruited during psychotherapeutic treatment in a mental health clinic. In a crossover design, they all completed the PHQ-9 in both the computerized and paper-and-pen versions in randomized order.ResultsThe internal consistency was comparable for the computer (α = 0.88) and paper versions (α = 0.89), and highly significant correlations were found between the formats (r = 0.92). PHQ-9 total scores were not significantly different between the paper and the computer delivered versions. There was a significant interaction effect between format and order of administration for the PHQ-9, indicating that the first administration delivered slightly higher scores.LimitationsIn order to reduce the required effort for the participants, we did not ask them to fill out anything but the PHQ-9 once in paper and once in computer version.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the PHQ-9 can be transferred to computerized use without affecting psychometric properties in a clinically meaningful way.

No abstract

Value of children (VOC) as individually perceived costs and benefits of children may help explain fertility behavior. Depressive cognitive styles may influence these perceptions. Based on the data of waves two, four, six, eight, and ten of the German Family Panel pairfam, this study examined the differences between adults with and without depression concerning various aspects of their VOC using pooled ordinary least squares regression analyses. The sample consisted of N = 5,525 men and women aged 18-47 years either with depression (STDS ≥ 25) or without depression (STDS < 25) who did not have children yet. All aspects of perceived costs were significantly higher in subjects with depression. Concerning benefits, persons with depression showed significantly lower values in affection, stimulation, and comfort, and there was no significant difference concerning esteem as a possible benefit. As such, depression seems to negatively influence VOC in almost all aspects except for esteem benefits. Since social esteem as a benefit of VOC in parents predicts depression in offspring, this might be a cause for the intergenerational transmission of depression. To support individuals of childbearing age with depression in therapy, more research about the influence of depressive cognitions on VOC and fertility intentions is needed.