Navigation auf zora.uzh.ch

Search ZORA

ZORA (Zurich Open Repository and Archive)

Effect of cultural adaptation of a smartphone-based self-help programme on its acceptability and efficacy: Randomized controlled trial

Heim, Eva; Burchert, Sebastian; Shala, Mirelinda; Hoxha, Anna; Kaufmann, Marco; Cerga Pashoja, Arlinda; Morina, Naser; Schaub, Michael P; Knaevelsrud, Christine; Maercker, Andreas (2024). Effect of cultural adaptation of a smartphone-based self-help programme on its acceptability and efficacy: Randomized controlled trial. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 6(2):2743.

Abstract

Background: Research on cultural adaptation of psychological interventions indicates that a higher level of adaptation is associated with a higher effect size of the intervention. However, direct comparisons of different levels of adaptations are scarce. Aims: This study used a smartphone-based self-help programme called Step-by-Step (Albanian: Hap-pas-Hapi) for the treatment of psychological distress among Albanian-speaking immigrants in Switzerland and Germany. Two levels of cultural adaptation (i.e., surface vs. deep structure adaptation) were compared. We hypothesised that the deep structure adaptation would enhance the acceptance and efficacy of the intervention. Method: We conducted a two-arm, single-blind randomised controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were good command of the Albanian language, age above 18, and elevated psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score above 15). Primary outcome measures were the total score of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the number of participants who completed at least three (out of five) sessions. Secondary outcomes were global functioning, well-being, post-traumatic stress, and self-defined problems. Results: Two-hundred-twenty-two participants were included, of which 18 (8%) completed the post-assessments. The number of participants who completed the third session was equal in both conditions, with N = 5 (5%) and N = 6 (6%) respectively. Discussion: Drop-out rates were high in both conditions, and no group difference was found regarding the acceptance of the intervention. The high drop-out rate stands in contrast with other trials testing Step-by-Step. Future research should examine cultural factors impacting recruitment strategies, as insights could help to reduce participant drop-out rates in clinical trials.

Additional indexing

Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Klinik für Konsiliarpsychiatrie und Psychosomatik
06 Faculty of Arts > Institute of Psychology
04 Faculty of Medicine > Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction
Dewey Decimal Classification:610 Medicine & health
150 Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:cultural adaptation, psychological interventions, mobile mental health, self-help, immigrants, online interventions, cultural concepts of distress, fatalism, working alliance
Language:English
Date:28 June 2024
Deposited On:06 Jul 2024 12:58
Last Modified:31 Oct 2024 02:40
Publisher:PsychOpen
ISSN:2625-3410
OA Status:Gold
Free access at:Publisher DOI. An embargo period may apply.
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.2743
Download PDF  'Effect of cultural adaptation of a smartphone-based self-help programme on its acceptability and efficacy: Randomized controlled trial'.
Preview
  • Content: Published Version
  • Language: English
  • Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Metadata Export

Statistics

Citations

Dimensions.ai Metrics

Altmetrics

Downloads

12 downloads since deposited on 06 Jul 2024
13 downloads since 12 months
Detailed statistics

Authors, Affiliations, Collaborations

Similar Publications