scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Author

Liat Hen

Bio: Liat Hen is an academic researcher from University of Haifa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sensation seeking & Interpersonal communication. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 1684 citations.

Papers
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article conducted a meta-analysis of all the studies reported in them and found that the overall mean weighted effect size was 0.53 (medium effect), which is quite similar to the average effect size of traditional, face-to-face therapy.
Abstract: Internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions have been used for more than a decade, but no comprehensive review and no extensive meta-analysis of their effectiveness have been conducted. We have collected all of the empirical articles published up to March 2006 (n = 64) that examine the effectiveness of online therapy of different forms and performed a meta-analysis of all the studies reported in them (n = 92). These studies involved a total of 9,764 clients who were treated through various Internet-based psychological interventions for a variety of problems, whose effectiveness was assessed by different types of measures. The overall mean weighted effect size was found to be 0.53 (medium effect), which is quite similar to the average effect size of traditional, face-to-face therapy. Next, we examined interacting effects of various possible relevant moderators of the effects of online therapy, including type of therapy (self-help web-based therapy versus online communication-based etherapy), ty...

1,142 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sensory differences were highest for studies of children ages 6–9 years, samples with more than 80% with an autism diagnosis, and compared to a CA matched versus a MA or DD matched group.
Abstract: Sensory modulation symptoms are common in persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however have a heterogeneous presentation. Results from 14 studies indicated a significant high difference between ASD and typical groups in the presence/frequency of sensory symptoms, with the greatest difference in under-responsivity, followed by over-responsivity and sensation seeking. Three moderators that reduced the variability in findings among studies were: chronological age, severity of autism, and type of control group. Sensory differences were highest for studies of children ages 6-9 years, samples with more than 80% with an autism diagnosis, and compared to a CA matched versus a MA or DD matched group. It is important to consider these moderators in the design of studies and interventions addressing sensory symptoms.

755 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: McKenna et al. as discussed by the authors argued that people tend to express and reflect themselves in online situations but also usually feel comfortable doing so, and that the online environment may constructively be used to assess and evaluate people in professional terms.
Abstract: For those who regularly surf through cyberspace and experience it as a parallel and not unusual social environment – whether this takes the form of online forums, chat rooms, or personal communication through instant messaging (IM) – it is customary to encounter various types and exhibitions of human behavior. Many Internet surfers, in the beginning, are convinced that most other surfers impersonate, lie, cheat, or at the very least attempt to pull your leg; later, however, it occurs to them that this basic premise is generally wrong. After spending much time in virtual communities, publicly and privately interacting with numerous anonymous individuals, many people start to realize that their behavior in cyberspace reflects their actual personalities or mood states. To their astonishment, as they observe over time other people’s gestures, behavioral patterns, writing styles, frequency and intensity of involvement in group situations, personal associations, vocabulary, choice of verbal expressions, netiquette, and other features of their online behavior – all based on textual communication – laypeople realize that they can learn a great amount about themselves and about others. Moreover, it occurs to them that under these circumstances, they could learn even more about many people’s personality dispositions, attitudes, moral values, sensitivities, habits, needs, and preferences than in an offline, face-to-face (F2F) environment. This intuitive recognition by many Internet users is consistent with what behavioral theorists and researchers of cyberspace have argued in regard to the emergence of self in cyberspace. That is, in contrast to common belief, we now know that many people, when immersed in cyberspace, remove their everyday, offline masks and games and expose their more authentic selves, revealing their longer-term personality dispositions and traits or their current mood and emotional state (McKenna, 2007; also see McKenna, Chapter 10). This chapter takes another step in this knowledge direction. Under the assumption that people not only tend to express and reflect themselves in online situations but also usually feel comfortable doing so, the idea advanced here is that the online environment may constructively be used to assess and evaluate people in professional terms. Because psychologists so widely use and need assessment and evaluation activities – for clinical, educational, vocational, and other purposes – cyberspace may be professionally exploited to

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results demonstrated that children's self-report of their occupational performance in daily tasks are reliable and valid, and occupational therapists may obtain data from the child himself or herself and not only from the parents.
Abstract: There is a paucity of literature regarding the daily routines of young children (4–7 years) and their perception of their performance. Research indicates that children's involvement in treatment therapy improves their self-consciousness, which contributes in return to the therapy's progress. Until recently, occupational therapists set goals for children by involving their parents in the planning. However, recent studies indicate that children are aware of their performance and can provide reliable data, given an evaluation that is adapted to their stage of development. “Make My Day” (MMD) is a new evaluation developed for young children, which provides information regarding the child's performance with respect to their daily activities. The MMD incorporates two versions – one for the children's self-report and the other for the parent's report. Participants included 62 healthy 4- to 7-year-old children of Arab-Israeli decent and their parents. They were assessed using the MMD, Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting (PEGS), Time Organization and Participation (TOPS) and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Correlations between the MMD and the TOPS/PEGS were examined regarding the differences between children's and parents' reports of performance in three age groups (concurrent validity). Results demonstrated that children's self-report of their occupational performance in daily tasks are reliable and valid. Thus, occupational therapists may obtain data from the child himself or herself and not only from the parents. Further research on the MMD is recommended in other clinical populations to increase our knowledge of their daily functioning and of MMD's validity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

6 citations


Cited by
More filters
Book
01 Aug 2009
TL;DR: Mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) disorders—which include depression, conduct disorder, and substance abuse—affect large numbers of young people.
Abstract: This report builds on a highly valued predecessor, the 1994 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research. That report provided the basis for understanding prevention science, elucidating its then-existing research base, and contemplating where it should go in the future. This report documents that an increasing number of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems in young people are in fact preventable. The proverbial ounce of prevention will indeed be worth a pound of cure: effectively applying the evidence-based prevention interventions at hand could potentially save billions of dollars in associated costs by avoiding or tempering these disorders in many individuals. Furthermore, devoting significantly greater resources to research on even more effective prevention and promotion efforts, and then reliably implementing the findings of such research, could substantially diminish the human and economic toll.

1,744 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that although more studies are needed, Internet and other computerized treatments hold promise as potentially evidence-based treatments of depression.
Abstract: Computerized and, more recently, Internet-based treatments for depression have been developed and tested in controlled trials. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the effects of these treatments and investigate characteristics of studies that may be related to the effects. In particular, the authors were interested in the role of personal support when completing a computerized treatment. Following a literature search and coding, the authors included 12 studies, with a total of 2446 participants. Ten of the 12 studies were delivered via the Internet. The mean effect size of the 15 comparisons between Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments vs. control groups at posttest was d = 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.54). However, this estimate was moderated by a significant difference between supported (d = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45-0.77) and unsupported (d = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.35) treatments. The authors conclude that although more studies are needed, Internet and other computerized treatments hold promise as potentially evidence-based treatments of depression.

1,196 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The review and meta-analysis support the efficacy and effectiveness of computer-based psychological treatments for depression, in diverse settings and with different populations, and highlights participant satisfaction.

1,168 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Conversational agents appear to be a feasible, engaging, and effective way to deliver CBT.
Abstract: Background: Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapeutic (CBT) apps have demonstrated efficacy but are characterized by poor adherence. Conversational agents may offer a convenient, engaging way of getting support at any time. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a fully automated conversational agent to deliver a self-help program for college students who self-identify as having symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods: In an unblinded trial, 70 individuals age 18-28 years were recruited online from a university community social media site and were randomized to receive either 2 weeks (up to 20 sessions) of self-help content derived from CBT principles in a conversational format with a text-based conversational agent (Woebot) (n=34) or were directed to the National Institute of Mental Health ebook, “Depression in College Students,” as an information-only control group (n=36). All participants completed Web-based versions of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale at baseline and 2-3 weeks later (T2). Results: Participants were on average 22.2 years old (SD 2.33), 67% female (47/70), mostly non-Hispanic (93%, 54/58), and Caucasian (79%, 46/58). Participants in the Woebot group engaged with the conversational agent an average of 12.14 (SD 2.23) times over the study period. No significant differences existed between the groups at baseline, and 83% (58/70) of participants provided data at T2 (17% attrition). Intent-to-treat univariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant group difference on depression such that those in the Woebot group significantly reduced their symptoms of depression over the study period as measured by the PHQ-9 (F=6.47; P=.01) while those in the information control group did not. In an analysis of completers, participants in both groups significantly reduced anxiety as measured by the GAD-7 (F1,54= 9.24; P=.004). Participants’ comments suggest that process factors were more influential on their acceptability of the program than content factors mirroring traditional therapy. Conclusions: Conversational agents appear to be a feasible, engaging, and effective way to deliver CBT. [JMIR Ment Health 2017;4(2):e19]

1,028 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using intervention characteristics and persuasive technology elements, a substantial amount of variance in adherence can be explained and can be used to make an informed decision about how to design a web-based intervention to which patients are more likely to adhere.
Abstract: Background: Although web-based interventions for promoting health and health-related behavior can be effective, poor adherence is a common issue that needs to be addressed Technology as a means to communicate the content in web-based interventions has been neglected in research Indeed, technology is often seen as a black-box, a mere tool that has no effect or value and serves only as a vehicle to deliver intervention content In this paper we examine technology from a holistic perspective We see it as a vital and inseparable aspect of web-based interventions to help explain and understand adherence Objective: This study aims to review the literature on web-based health interventions to investigate whether intervention characteristics and persuasive design affect adherence to a web-based intervention Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies into web-based health interventions Per intervention, intervention characteristics, persuasive technology elements and adherence were coded We performed a multiple regression analysis to investigate whether these variables could predict adherence Results: We included 101 articles on 83 interventions The typical web-based intervention is meant to be used once a week, is modular in set-up, is updated once a week, lasts for 10 weeks, includes interaction with the system and a counselor and peers on the web, includes some persuasive technology elements, and about 50% of the participants adhere to the intervention Regarding persuasive technology, we see that primary task support elements are most commonly employed (mean 29 out of a possible 70) Dialogue support and social support are less commonly employed (mean 15 and 12 out of a possible 70, respectively) When comparing the interventions of the different health care areas, we find significant differences in intended usage (p = 004), setup (p < 001), updates (p < 001), frequency of interaction with a counselor (p < 001), the system (p = 003) and peers (p = 017), duration (F = 6068, p = 004), adherence (F = 4833, p = 010) and the number of primary task support elements (F = 5631, p = 005) Our final regression model explained 55% of the variance in adherence In this model, a RCT study as opposed to an observational study, increased interaction with a counselor, more frequent intended usage, more frequent updates and more extensive employment of dialogue support significantly predicted better adherence Conclusions: Using intervention characteristics and persuasive technology elements, a substantial amount of variance in adherence can be explained Although there are differences between health care areas on intervention characteristics, health care area per se does not predict adherence Rather, the differences in technology and interaction predict adherence The results of this study can be used to make an informed decision about how to design a web-based intervention to which patients are more likely to adhere

1,025 citations