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Introduction: Mental health issues have been on the rise among children and adolescents, and digital parenting programs have shown promising outcomes. However, there is limited research on the potential efficacy of utilizing chatbots to promote parental skills. This study aimed to understand whether parents learn from a parenting chatbot micro intervention, to assess the overall efficacy of the intervention, and to explore the user characteristics of the participants, including parental busyness, assumptions about parenting, and qualitative engagement with the chatbot. Methods: A sample of 170 parents with at least one child between 2-11 years old were recruited. A randomized control trial was conducted. Participants in the experimental group accessed a 15-min intervention that taught how to utilize positive attention and praise to promote positive behaviors in their children, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Results: Results showed that participants engaged with a brief AI-based chatbot intervention and were able to learn effective praising skills. Although scores moved in the expected direction, there were no significant differences by condition in the praising knowledge reported by parents, perceived changes in disruptive behaviors, or parenting self-efficacy, from pre-intervention to 24-hour follow-up. Discussion: The results provided insight to understand how parents engaged with the chatbot and suggests that, in general, brief, self-guided, digital interventions can promote learning in parents. It is possible that a higher dose of intervention may be needed to obtain a therapeutic change in parents. Further research implications on chatbots for parenting skills are discussed.

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BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence-based chatbots are emerging as instruments of psychological intervention; however, no relevant studies have been reported in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability, acceptability, and potential impact of using Tess, a chatbot, for examining symptoms of depression and anxiety in university students. METHODS: This was a pilot randomized controlled trial. The experimental condition used Tess for 8 weeks, and the control condition was assigned to a psychoeducation book on depression. Comparisons were conducted using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests for depressive symptoms, and independent and paired sample t tests to analyze anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: The initial sample consisted of 181 Argentinian college students (158, 87.2% female) aged 18 to 33. Data at week 8 were provided by 39 out of the 99 (39%) participants in the experimental condition and 34 out of the 82 (41%) in the control group. On an average, 472 (SD 249.52) messages were exchanged, with 116 (SD 73.87) of the messages sent from the users in response to Tess. A higher number of messages exchanged with Tess was associated with positive feedback (F2,36=4.37; P=.02). No significant differences between the experimental and control groups were found from the baseline to week 8 for depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, significant intragroup differences demonstrated that the experimental group showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms; no such differences were observed for the control group. Further, no significant intragroup differences were found for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The students spent a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with a higher number of messages exchanged. The initial results show promising evidence for the usability and acceptability of Tess in the Argentinian population. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed.

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La satisfacción del usuario (SU) es actualmente considerada un factor importante en la evaluación de la calidad de los servicios de salud mental. No obstante, no ha sido todavía investigada en gran medida en los servicios de salud mental para niños, niñas y adolescentes (SSMNA). Nuestro objetivo en este estudio fue conocer el grado de satisfacción percibida por usuarios que recibieron atención en tres SSMNA privados de Buenos Aires, cada uno con una orientación teórica distinta. Utilizamos como instrumentos, cuestionarios de auto-informe que nos proveyeron datos para un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo. Hallamos que los padres y madres que llevaron a sus hijos o hijas a los servicios de orientación cognitiva o sistémica, refirieron niveles de satisfacción similares entre sí y un mayor grado de satisfacción que los padres y madres cuyos hijos e hijas recibieron tratamiento psicodinámico.

User satisfaction (US) is currently considered an important factor in the assessment of the quality of mental health services. However, it has not yet been researched extensively in the area of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The aim of this study was to identify the level of satisfaction perceived by users who received treatment at three private CAMHS in Buenos Aires, each with a different theoretical orientation. Self-report questionnaires that provided data for quantitative and qualitative analysis were used as instruments. It was found that parents who brought their children to the services that provide cognitive or systemic orientation reported similar levels of satisfaction with the services and a higher level of satisfaction than parents whose children received psychodynamic treatment.

Atualmente, a satisfação do usuário (SU) é considerada um fator importante na avaliação da qualidade dos serviços de saúde mental. Porém, ainda não tem sido pesquisada em profundidade nos serviços de saúde mental para crianças e adolescentes (SSMCA). O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer o grau de satisfação percebida por usuários que receberam atenção em três SSMCA privados de Buenos Aires, cada um com uma orientação teórica diferente. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados questionários autoinformativos que reuniram dados para uma análise quantitativa e qualitativa. Constatou-se que os pais que levaram seus filhos e filhas nos serviços de orientação cognitiva ou sistêmica tiveram níveis de satisfação semelhantes entre si e um maior grau de satisfação do que os pais cujos filhos e filhas receberam tratamento psicodinâmico.

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Client Satisfaction with mental health services is an important aspect in the evaluation of quality of those services. In youth mental health field, a few studies had being made about this characteristic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction of parents, children and adolescents according to sex of patients and therapists. The sample included 382 subjects who attended to Buenos Aires private services who completed the questionnaire of experiences with the service. The results in teenagers' group showed differences in the satisfaction with the service matching the sex of teenagers with the sex of therapist, however in children and parent groups we haven't found significant differences. We discuss the implications of the results in order to improve the services given in youth area.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe a 10-year proof-of-concept smoking cessation research program evaluating the reach of online health interventions throughout the Americas. METHODS: Recruitment occurred from 2002 - 2011, primarily using Google.com AdWords. Over 6 million smokers from the Americas entered keywords related to smoking cessation; 57 882 smokers (15 912 English speakers and 41 970 Spanish speakers) were recruited into online self-help automated intervention studies. To examine disparities in utilization of methods to quit smoking, cessation aids used by English speakers and Spanish speakers were compared. To determine whether online interventions reduce disparities, abstinence rates were also compared. Finally, the reach of the intervention was illustrated for three large Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas-Argentina, Mexico, and Peru-and the United States of America. RESULTS: Few participants had utilized other methods to stop smoking before coming to the Internet site; most reported using no previous smoking cessation aids: 69.2% of Spanish speakers versus 51.8% of English speakers (P < 0.01). The most used method was nicotine gum, 13.9%. Nicotine dependence levels were similar to those reported for in-person smoking cessation trials. Overall observed quit rate for English speakers was 38.1% and for Spanish speakers, 37.0%; quit rates in which participants with missing data were considered to be smoking were 11.1% and 10.6%, respectively. Neither comparison was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic use of evidence-based Internet interventions for health problems could have a broad impact throughout the Americas, at little or no cost to individuals or to ministries of health.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe a 10-year proof-of-concept smoking cessation research program evaluating the reach of online health interventions throughout the Americas. METHODS: Recruitment occurred from 2002 - 2011, primarily using Google.com AdWords. Over 6 million smokers from the Americas entered keywords related to smoking cessation; 57 882 smokers (15 912 English speakers and 41 970 Spanish speakers) were recruited into online self-help automated intervention studies. To examine disparities in utilization of methods to quit smoking, cessation aids used by English speakers and Spanish speakers were compared. To determine whether online interventions reduce disparities, abstinence rates were also compared. Finally, the reach of the intervention was illustrated for three large Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas-Argentina, Mexico, and Peru-and the United States of America. RESULTS: Few participants had utilized other methods to stop smoking before coming to the Internet site; most reported using no previous smoking cessation aids: 69.2% of Spanish speakers versus 51.8% of English speakers (P < 0.01). The most used method was nicotine gum, 13.9%. Nicotine dependence levels were similar to those reported for in-person smoking cessation trials. Overall observed quit rate for English speakers was 38.1% and for Spanish speakers, 37.0%; quit rates in which participants with missing data were considered to be smoking were 11.1% and 10.6%, respectively. Neither comparison was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic use of evidence-based Internet interventions for health problems could have a broad impact throughout the Americas, at little or no cost to individuals or to ministries of health.

OBJETIVO: Describir un programa de investigación de 10 años sobre el abandono del hábito de fumar, en forma de estudio demostrativo preliminar, en el que se evaluó el alcance de las intervenciones de salud en línea en todo el continente americano. MÉTODOS: El período de captación comprendió del año 2002 al 2011, fundamentalmente mediante el programa AdWords de Google. Más de seis millones de fumadores del continente americano introdujeron palabras clave relacionadas con el abandono del hábito de fumar; se captaron 57 882 fumadores (15 912 de habla inglesa y 41 970 de habla hispana) para los estudios de intervención de autoayuda automatizada en línea. Con objeto de analizar las disparidades en la utilización de los métodos para dejar de fumar, se compararon las ayudas para dejar de fumar utilizadas por los fumadores de habla inglesa y de habla hispana. A fin de determinar si las intervenciones en línea reducen las disparidades, también se compararon las tasas de abstinencia. Por último, se ilustró el alcance de la intervención en tres extensos países de habla hispana de la región de las Américas (Argentina, México y Perú) y en los Estados Unidos. RESULTADOS: Fueron pocos los participantes que habían utilizado otros métodos para dejar de fumar antes de entrar en el sitio de internet; la mayor parte de ellos notificaron que no habían utilizado ningún tipo de ayuda para dejar de fumar anteriormente: 69,2% de los hispanoparlantes frente a 51,8% de los angloparlantes (P < 0,01). El método más utilizado fue el chicle de nicotina (13,9%). Los niveles de dependencia de la nicotina fueron similares a los notificados en los estudios presenciales de abandono del hábito de fumar. La tasa global de abandono general observada en los angloparlantes fue de 38,1% y en los hispanoparlantes de 37,0%; las tasas de abandono en los participantes considerados como fumadores por falta de datos fueron de 11,1% y 10,6%, respectivamente. Ninguna de las comparaciones mostró diferencias significativas. CONCLUSIONES: El uso sistemático de intervenciones mediante internet basadas en datos probatorios y dirigidas a problemas de salud podría tener una amplia repercusión en todo el continente americano, con un costo nulo o escaso para las propias personas o los ministerios de salud.

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Client Satisfaction with mental health services is an important aspect in the evaluation of quality of those services. In youth mental health field, a few studies had being made about this characteristic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction of parents, children and adolescents according to sex of patients and therapists. The sample included 382 subjects who attended to Buenos Aires private services who completed the questionnaire of experiences with the service. The results in teenagers group showed differences in the satisfaction with the service matching the sex of teenagers with the sex of therapist, however in children and parent groups we havent found significant differences. We discuss the implications of the results in order to improve the services given in youth area.

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Client Satisfaction with mental health services is an important aspect in the evaluation of quality of those services. In youth mental health field, a few studies had being made about this characteristic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction of parents, children and adolescents according to sex of patients and therapists. The sample included 382 subjects who attended to Buenos Aires private services who completed the questionnaire of experiences with the service. The results in teenagers’ group showed differences in the satisfaction with the service matching the sex of teenagers with the sex of therapist, however in children and parent groups we haven’t found significant differences. We discuss the implications of the results in order to improve the services given in youth area.

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The present paper reviews the available literature on the current state of knowledge regarding depression in children and adolescents. Empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatment adjustments for children are described, such as the Self-Control Therapy (CBT), Penn Prevention Program; and other treatments that are experimental phase. Similarly empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatment adjustments for adolescents are described, such as Adolescent Coping with Depression, Interpersonal Psychotherapy; and other treatments that are experimental phase as Biblotherapy and Attachment-Based Family Therapy.

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El artículo presenta los resultados preliminares de una investigación tendiente a evaluar la utilidad clínica de dos vertientes de terapia cognitiva en pacientes con Trastorno obsesivo compulsivo TOC. Una terapia metacognitiva fue aplicada a dos pacientes con TOC en comorbilidad con Trastorno Depresivo Mayor TDM. Se utilizó un diseño de caso único A-B con replicación directa entre sujetos. Los resultados son parciales ya que no se contaba todavía con datos de seguimiento. No obstante, los mismos muestran una mejoría significativa en la sintomatología obsesiva y depresiva tras la aplicación del tratamiento, así como un cambio significativo en las creencias relacionadas con el TOC. Al final del período de tratamiento los pacientes no cumplían criterios diagnósticos para TOC ni TDM; además, habían registrado una mejoría en la calidad de vida relacionada con aspectos emocionales. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas de los resultados y se sugieren nuevas líneas de investigación.(AU)

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El artículo presenta los resultados preliminares de una investigación tendiente a evaluar la utilidad clínica de dos vertientes de terapia cognitiva en pacientes con Trastorno obsesivo compulsivo TOC. Una terapia metacognitiva fue aplicada a dos pacientes con TOC en comorbilidad con Trastorno Depresivo Mayor TDM. Se utilizó un diseño de caso único A-B con replicación directa entre sujetos. Los resultados son parciales ya que no se contaba todavía con datos de seguimiento. No obstante, los mismos muestran una mejoría significativa en la sintomatología obsesiva y depresiva tras la aplicación del tratamiento, así como un cambio significativo en las creencias relacionadas con el TOC. Al final del período de tratamiento los pacientes no cumplían criterios diagnósticos para TOC ni TDM; además, habían registrado una mejoría en la calidad de vida relacionada con aspectos emocionales. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas de los resultados y se sugieren nuevas líneas de investigación.

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