ABSTRACT

Low self-esteem is a common problem among adolescents and is related to psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety. However, effective and available interventions primarily targeting low self-esteem are scarce, in particular for youths. To address this gap, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a novel internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) program for low self-esteem in adolescents using a randomized controlled design. Fifty-two participants (15-19 years) were recruited and randomly allocated to seven weeks of therapist-supported ICBT (n=26) or to a waitlist control condition (n=26). The primary outcome was the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Secondary outcomes measured domain-specific aspects of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The treatment group showed significantly higher levels of self-rated self-esteem compared to the control group at post-treatment, with a large between-group effect-size (RSES, d = 1.18). Further, the treatment had significant positive impact on secondary measures of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The results of this pilot-RCT suggest that ICBT can be effective for treating low self-esteem in adolescents, decrease depression and anxiety levels, and increasing quality of life. Replication of the results in larger samples is needed.

摘要

自尊心低是青少年普遍存在的问题，并且与抑郁和焦虑等精神问题有关。然而，主要针对自尊心低下的有效和可用干预措施很少，尤其是对青少年而言。为了解决这一差距，这项试点研究的目的是评估一种新颖的基于互联网的认知行为疗法 (ICBT) 计划，该计划使用随机对照设计来治疗青少年自尊心低下。招募了 52 名参与者（15-19 岁）并随机分配到治疗师支持的 7 周 ICBT（n=26）或候补名单控制条件（n=26）。主要结果是罗森伯格自尊量表（RSES）。次要结果测量了自尊、自我同情、生活质量、抑郁和焦虑等特定领域的方面。与对照组相比，治疗组在治疗后表现出显着更高的自评水平，组间效应量大（RSES，d = 1.18）。此外，治疗对自尊、自我同情、生活质量、抑郁和焦虑等次要指标有显着的积极影响。这项试验性随机对照试验的结果表明，ICBT 可有效治疗青少年的自尊心低下，降低抑郁和焦虑水平，并提高生活质量。需要在更大的样本中复制结果。抑郁和焦虑。这项试验性随机对照试验的结果表明，ICBT 可有效治疗青少年的自尊心低下，降低抑郁和焦虑水平，并提高生活质量。需要在更大的样本中复制结果。抑郁和焦虑。这项试验性随机对照试验的结果表明，ICBT 可有效治疗青少年的自尊心低下，降低抑郁和焦虑水平，并提高生活质量。需要在更大的样本中复制结果。