3.1.1. Expectations. The result showed that almost all participants (11 out of 12), at the start of the treatment, expected that the application would help them with reducing depressive symptoms. Most of them hoped that the treatment would give them tools for self-help, and several reported that they were hoping to feel better and be happier. One person had no expectations at all and described himself as “pretty zeroed out”. Several participants reported that curiosity was the driving factor behind them trying the treatment; they wanted to
see what it was like and what it could do for them. Economic and practical reasons were also mentioned for choosing this kind of treatment, and a couple of participants suggested that the threshold for participating was much lower compared to seeking traditional help with a psychologist. Although all except one participant had had some positive expectations on the treatment, there was individual variation. Some had held high hopes that the treatment would be effective, while others entered the treatment with more of an open
mind, hoping that something good may come out of it. Those who
felt early on that the treatment did not match their expectations
also ended the treatment prematurely. One of these participants admitted
that she had wanted another type of treatment already from
the start, but simply stated that she had accepted what was offered.
She perceived the treatment and therapist contact as too inflexible.
The other participant had held high initial expectations, but had
not understood how the treatment would be structured and was
disappointed early on. Comments included: