Experiences of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety among Arabic-speaking individuals in Sweden: a qualitative study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is a promising treatment for refugee and immigrant populations suffering from common mental disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate experiences of participating in a guided ICBT program among resettled Arabic-speaking individuals suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression.Methods
Ten individuals who had previously received ICBT consented to participate and were interviewed using semi-structured telephone interviews. The interviews were conducted 10 months after treatment termination. Data were transcribed and analysed using a Thematic Analysis framework.Results
The Thematic Analysis resulted in five overarching themes 1) The importance of being seen, 2) New ways of knowing and doing, 3) Treatment format not for everyone, 4) Changing attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking and 5) The healthcare system as a complex puzzle. Participants described varying levels of success in applying the new information learned from the treatment in their everyday lives. The results also indicate that participation in the ICBT program to some extent mitigated mental health stigma and acted as a precursor to other forms of treatment seeking.Conclusions
The findings in the present study are largely in line with previous qualitative research studies on ICBT participants. Future research should investigate whether a more explicit focus on refugee-specific stressors and barriers to treatment engagement and implementation can increase adherence to ICBT programs in this population.
SUBMITTER: Lindegaard T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8173836 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundThe Jenkins Sleep Scale is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances. This study aimed to translate the scale into Arabic and evaluate its psychometric properties in an Arabic-speaking population.MethodsThe Jenkins Sleep Scale was translated into Arabic using forward and backward translation procedures. The Arabic version was administered to a convenience sample of 420 adults along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) for validation purposes. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted to test the unidimensional factor structure. Convergent validity was assessed using correlations with PSQI and AIS scores.ResultsThe Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values for the Arabic Jenkins Sleep Scale were 0.74 and 0.75, respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The 2-week and 4-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were both 0.94 (p < 0.001), indicating excellent test-retest reliability. The CFA results confirmed the unidimensional factor structure (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.08). The measurement model had an equivalent factor structure, loadings, intercepts, and residuals across sex, age, and marital status. Significant positive correlations were found between the Arabic Jenkins scale score and the PSQI (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) and AIS (r = 0.74, p < 0.001), supporting convergent validity.ConclusionThe Arabic version of the Jenkins Sleep Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. The findings support its use as a valid and reliable measure for evaluating sleep quality and disturbances among Arabic-speaking populations.
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