Acceptance and utilization of web-based self-help for caregivers of children with externalizing disorders

Web-based self-help interventions for parents of children with ADHD and other externalizing disorders have been proven to be effective. In order to recommend individualized and optimized interventions, a better understanding of the acceptance and utilization of this innovative treatment approach is needed. Previous research has frequently employed subjective reports of utilization, but the validity of these studies may be limited. Data from the German WASH study were used. Participants (n = 276) were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (a) web-based self-help or (b) web-based self-help with optional telephone-based support calls. Data collection took place at baseline (T1) and 12 weeks later (T2). Utilization data were tracked using a log file generated for each participant at T2. Prediction models were calculated using CART (Classification and Regression Trees), a method known mostly from the field of machine learning. Acceptance, of the intervention as defined in this paper was very high on objective (89.4