BACKGROUND Correctional workers (CWs), are frequently exposed to traumatic workplace events, placing them at higher risk of experiencing mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite high prevalence of mental health challenges, CWs underutilize mental health services due to stigma, irregular work schedules, and accessibility issues. While cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective, it poses accessibility challenges. Electronic CBT (eCBT) offers a scalable, accessible alternative, but use among CWs remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosis-specific eCBT programs designed for CWs in reducing symptoms of MDD, GAD, and PTSD compared to treatment as usual (TAU). METHODS A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 84 CWs in Ontario, assigned to either eCBT (n=40) or TAU (n=44). The eCBT program provided diagnosis-specific modules with synchronous personalized feedback from care providers over 12-weeks via the Online Psychotherapy Tool (OPTT). Symptom severity was measured at baseline, week-6, and post-treatment using validated scales for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and quality-of-life. Data analysis included paired samples t-tests, mixed linear models, and effect size calculations (Cohen's d). RESULTS The eCBT group exhibited significant reductions in symptom severity for depression, anxiety, and PTSD from baseline to post-treatment compared to TAU (p CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis-specific eCBT programs are effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD for CWs. The asynchronous, accessible format of eCBT addresses current key barriers. Future research should explore strategies to improve adherence and increase the accessibility of services for CWs. CLINICALTRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04666974). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/30845
Holmes et al. (2025) studied this question.