Impact of Supportive Text Messages on Mental Health After Wildfires
Author Information
Author(s): Obuobi-Donkor Gloria, Shalaby Reham, Agyapong Belinda, Dias Raquel da Luz, Eboreime Ejemai, Wozney Lori, Agyapong Vincent Israel Opoku
Primary Institution: Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
Participants who subscribe to the program will have at least 20% reduced mean scores on PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PCL-C and a 20% increase in the mean scores on the BRS and WHO-5 at 3 months compared with their enrolment scores.
Conclusion
The supportive text intervention program effectively aids individuals who have endured natural disasters like wildfires, showing significant improvements in mental health outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants showed a statistically significant change in mental health scores after receiving supportive text messages.
- The prevalence of poor mental well-being significantly decreased from baseline to 3 months.
- Text message interventions are scalable and can reach many individuals simultaneously.
Takeaway
Sending supportive text messages to people affected by wildfires can help them feel better and cope with their feelings over time.
Methodology
Participants subscribed to the Text4Hope services and completed online surveys at baseline and 3 months post-enrollment to measure mental health outcomes.
Potential Biases
Self-rated scales may introduce response bias and inaccuracies.
Limitations
The study had a limited number of participants completing both surveys, potential response bias due to self-reporting, and lacked a control group.
Participant Demographics
Majority were females (84.4%), aged 31-50 years (40.1%), and predominantly Caucasian (83.8%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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