Internet-basedinterventionsareincreasinglyrecognizedaseffectiveforthetreatmentandpreventionof
depression;however,thereisapaucityofresearchinvestigatingpotentialsecondarybenefits. Froma
consumer perspective,improvementsinindicatorsofwellbeingsuchasperceivedqualityoflifemay
representthemostimportantoutcomesforevaluatingtheeffectivenessofanintervention.Thisstudy
investigatedthe ‘secondary’ benefitsforself-esteem,empowerment,qualityoflifeandperceivedsocial
support oftwo12-weekonlinedepressioninterventions whendeliveredaloneandincombination.
Participantscomprised298adultsdisplayingelevated psychologicaldistress.Participantswererandomised
toreceive:anInternetSupportGroup(ISG);anautomatedInternetpsycho-educationaltrainingprogramfor
depression;acombinationoftheseconditions;oracontrolwebsite.Analyseswereperformedonanintent-
to-treatbasis.Followingtheautomatedtrainingprogramimmediateimprovementswereshownin
participants' self-esteemandempowermentrelative tocontrolparticipants.Improvementsinperceived
qualityoflifewerereported6-monthsfollowingthecompletion oftheinterventionwhencombinedwithan
ISG. These findingsprovideinitialevidencefortheeffectivenessofthisonlineinterventionforimproving
individualwellbeingbeyondtheprimaryaimofthetreatment.However,furtherresearchisrequiredto
investigatethemechanismsunderlyingimprovementinthesesecondaryoutcomes.