How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study
Background: While evidence on the effects and mechanisms of online depression screening is inconclusive, publicly available ‘online depression tests’ are already frequently used. To further a comprehensive understanding of online depression screening and evince the perspectives of those affected, we...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Internet Interventions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782923000854 |
| _version_ | 1827596465681203200 |
|---|---|
| author | Franziska Sikorski Bernd Löwe Sebastian Kohlmann |
| author_facet | Franziska Sikorski Bernd Löwe Sebastian Kohlmann |
| author_sort | Franziska Sikorski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: While evidence on the effects and mechanisms of online depression screening is inconclusive, publicly available ‘online depression tests’ are already frequently used. To further a comprehensive understanding of online depression screening and evince the perspectives of those affected, we aimed to qualitatively explore how adults with undiagnosed but suspected depressive disorder experience the screening process. Methods: This study is a qualitative follow-up of a German-wide, 3-arm, randomised controlled trial on feedback after online depression screening conducted between Jan 2021 and Sep 2022. A subsample of 26 participants with undiagnosed but suspected depressive disorder (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10; no depression diagnosis/treatment within the last year) were purposefully selected based on maximum variation in gender, age, and study arm. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews (mean = 37 min) were conducted approximately six months after screening. Data were analysed within a contextualist theoretical framework using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants were balanced in terms of gender (female/male, n = 15/11), age (range = 22 to 61 years), and study arm (no feedback/standard feedback/tailored feedback, n = 7/11/8). Reported experiences of online depression screening can be described as a two-step process: Step 1 is the initial reaction to the screening procedure and comprises the theme recognition of depressive symptoms: from denial to awareness. Step 2 describes a subsequent self-explorative process encompassing the themes cognitive positioning: rejection vs. acceptance, emotional reaction: between overload and empowerment, and personal activation: from reflection to action. Conclusions: Findings indicate that online depression screening with and without feedback of results is experienced as a two-step process promoting symptom recognition and subsequent self-exploration. While few participants reported negative effects, the majority described the screening process as insightful, empowering, and activating. Future research should determine to what extent online depression screening may pose a standalone form of low-threshold support for individuals with undiagnosed depressive disorder, while focusing as well on potential negative effects. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:09:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6965f0f91ddc46d9ba5ce38be731b8e6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-7829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:09:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Internet Interventions |
| spelling | doaj.art-6965f0f91ddc46d9ba5ce38be731b8e62023-12-04T05:22:01ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292023-12-0134100685How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview studyFranziska Sikorski0Bernd Löwe1Sebastian Kohlmann2Corresponding author at: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyBackground: While evidence on the effects and mechanisms of online depression screening is inconclusive, publicly available ‘online depression tests’ are already frequently used. To further a comprehensive understanding of online depression screening and evince the perspectives of those affected, we aimed to qualitatively explore how adults with undiagnosed but suspected depressive disorder experience the screening process. Methods: This study is a qualitative follow-up of a German-wide, 3-arm, randomised controlled trial on feedback after online depression screening conducted between Jan 2021 and Sep 2022. A subsample of 26 participants with undiagnosed but suspected depressive disorder (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10; no depression diagnosis/treatment within the last year) were purposefully selected based on maximum variation in gender, age, and study arm. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews (mean = 37 min) were conducted approximately six months after screening. Data were analysed within a contextualist theoretical framework using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants were balanced in terms of gender (female/male, n = 15/11), age (range = 22 to 61 years), and study arm (no feedback/standard feedback/tailored feedback, n = 7/11/8). Reported experiences of online depression screening can be described as a two-step process: Step 1 is the initial reaction to the screening procedure and comprises the theme recognition of depressive symptoms: from denial to awareness. Step 2 describes a subsequent self-explorative process encompassing the themes cognitive positioning: rejection vs. acceptance, emotional reaction: between overload and empowerment, and personal activation: from reflection to action. Conclusions: Findings indicate that online depression screening with and without feedback of results is experienced as a two-step process promoting symptom recognition and subsequent self-exploration. While few participants reported negative effects, the majority described the screening process as insightful, empowering, and activating. Future research should determine to what extent online depression screening may pose a standalone form of low-threshold support for individuals with undiagnosed depressive disorder, while focusing as well on potential negative effects.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782923000854DepressionOnline screeningEarly detectionReflexive thematic analysisPatient perspectiveQualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Franziska Sikorski Bernd Löwe Sebastian Kohlmann How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study Internet Interventions Depression Online screening Early detection Reflexive thematic analysis Patient perspective Qualitative study |
| title | How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study |
| title_full | How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study |
| title_fullStr | How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study |
| title_full_unstemmed | How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study |
| title_short | How adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening: A qualitative interview study |
| title_sort | how adults with suspected depressive disorder experience online depression screening a qualitative interview study |
| topic | Depression Online screening Early detection Reflexive thematic analysis Patient perspective Qualitative study |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782923000854 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT franziskasikorski howadultswithsuspecteddepressivedisorderexperienceonlinedepressionscreeningaqualitativeinterviewstudy AT berndlowe howadultswithsuspecteddepressivedisorderexperienceonlinedepressionscreeningaqualitativeinterviewstudy AT sebastiankohlmann howadultswithsuspecteddepressivedisorderexperienceonlinedepressionscreeningaqualitativeinterviewstudy |