The effect of online virtual family visitation application specific to psychiatric clinics on anxiety stress depression perception of social support and related factors

In this study, the effect of online interview program and virtual family visit application on depression, anxiety, stress, perceived social support, treatment motivation, disease severity and clinical functioning levels of individuals with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was aimed. A quasi-experimental study design method with control group and sequential measurement was used to examine the effectiveness of virtual family visits with an online interview program. The study consisted of pretest, midterm and posttest measurements. The sample of the study consisted of 104 individuals diagnosed with Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder (Experimental depressive disorder group: 26, Experimental anxiety disorder group: 26, Control depressive disorder group: 26, Control anxiety disorder group: 26) who were hospitalized in Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Psychiatric Inpatient Service between 15.08.2023- 15.02.2024. The data collection process of the study was carried out between 15.08.2023 – 15.02.2024. Individuals and their relatives who were diagnosed with an online interview program specific to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses and virtual family visits were made. In this process, the Introductory Information Form (IIF), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (TMA), Global Assessment Scale, Clinical General Impression Scale were applied as data collection tools for pretest, interim measurement and posttest. At the end of the virtual visits planned at least 4 times, "Interview Evaluation Form for Patient" was applied to the individuals and "Interview Evaluation Form for Relatives" was applied to their relatives. An average of 9 virtual family visits were made for each individual. The research process ended with 104 participants. According to the findings of the study, DASS-21 (p<0.05) had an effect at the level of 44%, MSPSS (p<0.001) at the level of 41.5%, TMA Intrinsic Motivation sub-dimension at the level of 43.2%, Extrinsic Motivation sub-dimension at the level of 9.1%, Help Seeking sub-dimension at the level of 24.2%, Clinical Global Impression Scale (p<0.05) at the level of 14.2% and Global Assessment Scale (p<0.05) at the level of 9.3% and made a significant difference on the total scores of all scales. As a result of the study, it was found that the Virtual Family Visit decreased the levels of depression, anxiety, stress and burden of illness of individuals with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, while increasing the levels of perceived social support, treatment motivation, and functionality. As a result of the opinions of individuals and their relatives, it was determined that they were satisfied with the virtual visit application and that the application was functional and effective. Based on these results, it is recommended that the application should be integrated and disseminated in institutions providing mental health services in order to facilitate family visits of individuals with mental disorders in psychiatric inpatient services and to develop technology-supported interventions.