Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Problematic Alcohol Use in a Working Life Setting: a Research Protocol for Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Feasibility and Outcomes

Internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment (ICBT) for mental health issues has been successfully implemented in routine health care and research indicates that ICBT can also be applied to decrease problematic alcohol use in healthcare as well as working life settings. However, qualitative studies investigating the feasibility of implementing ICBT in a working life context have been lacking. The current study will investigate the feasibility of delivering ICBT for problematic alcohol use within an employee assistance program (EAP), and will compare outcomes for ICBT with face-to-face treatment in a naturalistic quantitative study. Recruitment to the study follows employer contact with the EAP regarding an employee's presumed problematic alcohol consumption, leading to a five-session in-person psychological assessment. All assessed employees recommended ICBT or face-to-face treatment will be offered participation in the study. In addition to quantitative evaluation, interviews will be conducted with employees and their employer representatives following ICBT to elucidate both stakeholders' experience and perception of ICBT in the work life context. Thematic analysis and grounded theory will be used to analyze the interview material. Outcome comparisons between ICBT and face-to-face treatment will be assessed quantitatively using a Reliable Change Index and analysis of variance or other relevant statistical analyses such as multilevel modeling.