Cited by 50Digital Mental Health InterventionsPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Vets prevail online intervention reduces PTSD and depression in veterans with mild-to-moderate symptoms

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Hobfoll, Stevan E., Blais, Rebecca K., Stevens, Natalie R., Walt, Lisa, Gengler, Richard·2016·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite heightened rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among in Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, the majority of distressed veterans will not receive mental health care. Overcoming barriers to mental health services requires innovative approaches to broaden the reach of evidence-based treatment. The current study examined the efficacy and acceptability of an innovative and dynamic online cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention for PTSD and depression called Vets Prevail. METHOD: A randomized clinical trial conducted between 2011 and 2013 assessed changes in PTSD and depression in veterans with mild-to-moderate distress. Veterans randomized to Vets Prevail (n = 209) were aged 34.2 ± 7.6 years, mostly male (81.3%), and nonminority (73.7%). Veterans randomized to adjustment as usual (n = 94) were aged 34.7 ± 8.9, mostly male (81.9%), and White (67.0%). Veterans completed the PTSD Checklist-Military Version and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (10-item version) postintervention and at 12-week follow-up. RESULTS: Veterans in the Vets Prevail condition reported significantly greater reductions in PTSD, t(250) = 3.24, p = .001 (Mreduction = 5.51, SD = 9.63), and depression, t(252) = 4.37, p = .001 (Mreduction = 2.31, SD = 5.34), at 12-week follow-up compared with veterans in the adjustment as usual condition (PTSD Mreduction = 1.00, SD = 7.32; depression Mreduction = 0.48, SD = 4.95), with moderate effect sizes for PTSD (Cohen's d = 0.42) and depression (Cohen's d = 0.56). Exploratory analysis shows that Vets Prevail may be effective regardless of combat trauma exposure, gender, and ethnic minority status. CONCLUSION: Vets Prevail circumvents many barriers to care and effectively addresses the dire mental health needs of veterans.

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Crossref · 10.1037/ccp0000041

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  • Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy programs reduce symptoms across a range of mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

    “Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy programs have been shown to reduce symptoms across a range of mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (1), social anxiety disorder (2), and panic disorder (3), among others.”

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Authors
Hobfoll, S. E., Blais, R. K., Stevens, N. R., Walt, L., & Gengler, R.
Affiliations
  • Rush University Medical Center (US)
  • Prevail Health Solutions (United States) (US)
Venue
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Published
2016-01
Volume
84
Issue
1
Pages
31-42
ISSN
  • 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2117
OpenAlex
W2347088253
Cited by
50
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3
FWCI
7.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • The McCormick Foundation (The Veterans Corporation)
  • National Science Foundation
  • Pepsi-Cola Company
  • Goldman Sachs Gives (Rush University)
  • Wallach Family Donation
  • Robin Hood Foundation (Give an Hour)
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (Rush University)
  • Robin Hood Foundation (Rush Foundation)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Keywords
internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, barriers to mental health care, treatment acceptability, gender differences
MeSH terms
Adult, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Veterans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Iraq War, 2003-2011, Afghan Campaign 2001-

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