Comparison of Perceived Barriers and Treatment Preferences Associated with Internet-Based and Face-to-Face Psychological Treatment of Depression

2. The Current Study

The present research aimed to investigate whether potential consumers of a psychological treatment program for depression in the workplace would perceive fewer barriers to care for an internet-based or face-to-face treatment modality. In line with suggestions that internet-based treatment overcomes several barriers to care associated with face-to-face treatment (Tate & Zabinski, 2004), it was hypothesised that potential consumers would perceive fewer barriers to internet-based treatment than face-to-face treatment. Given the previously identified consumer preference for face-to-face treatment over internet-based treatment (Casey & Clough, in press; Casey, Joy, & Clough, 2013), it was also hypothesised that potential consumers would report that they would be more likely to seek face-to-face treatment than internet-based treatment. This preference for face-to-face treatment was predicted to occur despite the hypothesis that consumers would perceive fewer barriers to internet-based treatment, thus signalling an important need to consider what other factors may be important in encouraging consumers to engage in internet-based treatment.