Virtual agent-mediated appraisal training

Virtual agent-mediated appraisal training: A single case series among Dutch firefighters

Beer, U.M. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)
Neerincx, M.A. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence; TNO)
Morina, Nexhmedin (University of Münster)
Brinkman, W.P. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)

2017-10-13

Background: First responders are a prime example of professionals that are at a high risk of
being exposed to traumatic experiences. Reappraisal as a coping strategy might help first
responders to better cope with their emotional responses to traumatic events.
Objective: This study investigated the effects of repeated sessions of a digital reappraisal
training among seven firefighters. The training consisted of four sessions supported by a
virtual agent, conducted at home or at work, over a two-week period in a single case series.
Method: Sixteen data points were collected from each participant in the eight days pre- and
post-training.
Results: Significantly more themes were used at post-training than at pre-training, implying
more flexibility and confirming the main hypothesis of the study. Negative side effects were
not reported during or in the week after the training.
Conclusions: More controlled studies into the short- and long-term effects of a training of
this nature are needed. Furthermore, it provides a reference for developers in this field.

Resilience training
reappraisal
virtual agent
interrupted time series
computer-based training

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:b5cad0db-efff-40ec-98be-c382b1fcee23

https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1378053

2000-8066

European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8 (1), 1-12

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2017 U.M. Beer, M.A. Neerincx, Nexhmedin Morina, W.P. Brinkman