PLATO DCS, an interactive computer system for personal counseling: Further development and evaluation.

Two newly developed solutions components are described as additional resources for users of the PLATO computer-based Dilemma Counseling System (PLATO DCS). The specific and structural dilemma solutions components contain 69 representative life-choice problems and over 400 specific and general solutions that assist users in solving their psychological dilemmas. Computer-based dilemma counseling was examined empirically by assessing self-reported problem improvement in 2 groups of undergraduate students treated on PLATO DCS (n?=?48) or in a no-contact control group (n?=?62). Ss who used PLATO DCS showed significantly greater improvement in their problems than the control group 1 wk after treatment. This difference tended to persist 1 mo after treatment. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)