A qualitative study of the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive bias modification of interpretation (CBM-I) in adults with social anxiety in Hong Kong

Abstract

Purpose: The present aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a text-based computerised Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation (CBM-I) training in adults with elevated social anxiety using a qualitative approach. It aimed to identify participants’ attitudes and perceived effectiveness towards the computerised CBM-I training, as well as the potential benefits and barriers to future implementation in the clinical setting. Methods: A total of 10 participants who had previously participated in a quantitative CBM-I study and received five sessions of the computerised CBM-I training from that study were interviewed for 45 minutes each. Participants were encouraged to share their views and provide recommendations to open-ended semi-structured interview questions related to the five computerised CBM-I training sessions. Data from the present study were collected in the ten interviews, which had been audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Thematic analysis using NVivo 14 was performed. Results: Three emerging themes were identified: including advantages of computerised CBMI (including convenience, free of charge/ low charge, free from judgements and concerns, and perspective change); disadvantages of computerised CBM-I (including single-way learning, limited improvement, and requirement of computer literacy skills); and future application in social anxiety treatment (including flexible training schedule, arrangement for users with different symptom severity, and supplementary training materials). Conclusion: The present study reviewed the benefits, barriers and recommendations of the computerised CBM-I training previously participated by the respondents. Most of them shared positive experiences throughout the computerised CBM-I training, while pinpointing some areas of improvement and raising some suggestions for future implications. These collected data and information regarding the training’s feasibility and acceptability helped further the development and use of computerised training programmes or interventions in the population suffering from social anxiety, which might serve as an addition to the existing psychological interventions in Hong Kong’s mental health setting. Further quantitative and qualitative research on the implication of the computerised CBM-I training, particularly in different age groups and individuals with different levels of symptom severity, was suggested.