Understanding Components of Therapeutic Alliance and Well-Being from Use of a Global Digital Mental Health Benefit During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study

Journal of Technology in Behavioural Science

Summary:

 

  • Digital mental health services leverage technology to increase access to care, yet less is known about the quality of therapeutic relationships in a virtual setting. This study examined components of therapeutic alliance (a mechanism underlying successful treatment) and its association with beneficial treatment outcomes in a real-world, virtual setting. 
  • The objective is to examine (1) participant ratings of components of therapeutic alliance with providers in a virtual setting, (2) changes in subjective well-being and depressive symptoms among participants who began care with elevated depressive symptoms, and (3) the association between components of alliance and changes in participants’ well-being. 
  • Adults across the world with access to digital mental health benefits engaged in video conference sessions with a licensed therapist, certified coach, or both between Sept. 29, 2020 and Oct. 12, 21.
  • Participants completed 2 adapted items from the Working Alliance Inventory (goals and bonds subscales) after each session, and ratings were averaged across visits. 
  • Participants’ World Health Organization-Five (WHO-5) Well-Being Index scores at the start and end of the study period were used to measure changes in subjective well-being. 
  • People with access to one-on-one videoconferencing care via a digital mental health benefit formed a strong bond and sense of alignment on goals with both coaches and therapists. Higher components of alliance scores were associated with improvements in subjective well-being among participants who began care with elevated depressive symptoms, providing evidence that a positive bond and goal alignment with a provider are two of many factors influencing virtual care outcomes. 
  • Continued focus on the quality of therapeutic relationships will ensure digital mental health services are patient-tailored as these platforms expand equitable access to evidence-based care.

 

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Journal of Technology in Behavioural Science

Sara J. Sagui-Henson, Camille E. Welcome Chamberlain, Brooke J. Smith, Elizabeth J. Li, Cynthia Castro Sweet & Myra Altman

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Victoria Hornby

CEO, Mental Health Innovations, UK

International Phone and Text Helplines

Victoria is CEO of Mental Health Innovations, the charity behind SHOUT, the UK’s first 24/7 crisis text service. From 2011 to 2017, she was Director of Programmes at The Royal Foundation, building a portfolio of projects including the Invictus Games, Coach Core, United for Wildlife and Heads Together.