From Survivor to Thriver: A Pilot Study of an Online Program for Rape Victims

Abstract

Approximately 15% to 20% of women have been victims of rape and close to a third report current rape-related PTSD or clinically significant depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, very few distressed rape victims seek formal help. This suggests a need to develop alternative ways to assist the many distressed victims of sexual violence. Online treatment programs represent a potentially important alternative strategy for reaching such individuals. The current paper describes a pilot evaluation of an online, therapist-facilitated, self-paced cognitive behavioral program for rape victims. Five college women with current rape-related PTSD were recruited to complete the From Survivor to Thriver (S to T) program in a lab setting over the course of 7 weeks. After completing the program, 4 participants reported clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and no longer met criteria for PTSD. All participants reported clinically significant reductions in vulnerability fears and 4 reported significant reductions in negative trauma-related cognitions. Implications of the results for further development of the S to T program and how clinicians could utilize this program in treating rape-related PTSD are discussed.

Telepsychology for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A systematic review

“…Short-term effectiveness was demonstrated, with statistically significant and large reductions in the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms (including PTSD) associated with therapist-assisted internet programs (Table 3). 19–21,24,25 This included significant and large reductions in the level and content of fear reactions (Veronen-Kilpatrick Modified Fear Survey, d = 2.84), 50 and immediate improvements in suicidal ideation ( d = 1.16), 25 social functioning ( d w = 0.95), 21,24,25 and insomnia ( d range = 0.86–0.99). 24,25 Video-based interventions also produced short-term reductions in affective symptoms (Table 3) 52 - although peers who received face-to-face therapy demonstrated slightly higher treatment gains (Modified PTSD Symptom Scale French Version d = −1.78; PTSD Checklist Military Version d = −1.36; Beck Depression Inventory d = −0.72).…”

“…leaving the room). Negative aspects of telepsychology were, however, identified, with participants commenting that they had difficulty with online cognitive restructuring tasks, 50 and would have preferred different forms of media (i.e. mobile application) to supplement internet-based guided self-help.…”

“…19,21,[23][24][25] All studies utilised self-report measures to evaluate treatment outcomes, with five studies incorporating clinician-based assessments: Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, 21,47 Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, 21 and PTSD Symptom Scale Interview Version. 22,25,50…”

“…No telephone-only studies were identified. Rather, studies tended to use a hybrid design, involving the internet as a primary treatment modality in conjunction with real-time (i.e telephone calls, initial face-to-face introductory meeting) or asynchronous (email) communication with a therapist, 19,20,21,22,24,25,50 or one modality: videoconferencing 23,35,47,48,52,53 (Table 2). All interventions utilised a cognitive behavioural framework with Morland et al evaluating the only group program.…”

Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): an open trial

“…Internet-delivered psychological treatments may increase access to psychological therapy 4 . TF-CBT has been delivered via the internet and has shown promise in significantly reducing PTSD symptoms in military personnel 5 , 6 , university students 7 , 8 , and community samples in the U.S. 7 , Holland 9 , Iraq 10 , Australia 11 , 12 and German-speakers in Europe 13 . For example, in a previous study 12 we evaluated an internet-delivered TF-CBT (iCBT) protocol with Australian adults with a primary diagnosis of PTSD.…”