Understanding Adolescents' Perceived Barriers to Engagement in Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Programs for Anxiety and Their Ideas for Enhancing User Experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Self-Help Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) interventions are highly efficacious and overcome numerous barriers adolescents experience when accessing face-to-face interventions, including stigma, privacy, lengthy wait lists and cost. Despite this, adolescents struggle to engage in Self-Help iCBT, which is problematic given that there is a relationship between higher engagement and better treatment outcomes. The reasons for poor engagement among adolescents are unclear. Using the iCBT program, BRAVE Self-Help as an example, this study explored (1) the barriers to engagement directly from the adolescent's perspective and, (2) their viewpoints on enhancing engagement in iCBT.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adolescents aged 12-17

SUBMITTER: Senyard EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12419237 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature