Assessing Changes in Anxiety, Empowerment, Stigma and Wellbeing in Participants Attending an Online-Based Recovery College in Quebec During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Pre-Experimental Study.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Rapisarda, Filippo; Macario de Medeiros, Julio; Briand, Catherine; Boivin, Antoine; Monthuy-Blanc, Johana; Catherine Vallée; Drolet, Marie-Josée; Vachon, Brigitte; Luconi, Francesca

Source:

Int J Public Health, Volume 67, p.1604735 (2022)

Keywords:

Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, COVID-19, Humans, Pandemics, Quebec

Abstract:

<p> The present study aims to evaluate the effect of an online Recovery College (RC) program implemented in Quebec (Canada) during the COVID-19 pandemic. From October 2020 to June 2021, 27 training groups were conducted with a total of 362 attendees. Outcome was evaluated using a single group repeated measure design, assessing participants prior the training (T0), after the training (T1) and at follow up (T2). 107 learners of the Quebec RC program attended three two-hour sessions agreed to participate to the research. Overall findings show at T1 a small but statistically significant reduction of anxiety and increase in empowerment, and below threshold reduction of stigmatizing attitudes and increase of wellbeing. Conversely, the medium-term changes at follow up were non-significant for all the outcome dimension except for anxiety. Findings suggest that the RC online program can be considered as a potential effective strategy to support self-regulation and empowerment of individuals and to reduce anxiety in the context of crisis for the general population.</p>