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Transdiagnostic Behavioral Activation Therapy for Youth Anxiety and Depression

CompletedNA

Sponsor: Rutgers University

Conditions: Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders

Interventions: Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT)

Countries: United States

Psychological therapies for depression have demonstrated efficacy, but outcomes are still unsatisfactory, especially in cases with high comorbidity. Depression and anxiety co-occur in up to 69-75% of teens and intensify functional impairment and service use. This study will develop treatment materials for a transdiagnostic Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) and conduct a pilot waitlist-controlled school-based study with 35 7th and 8th grade boys and girls with co-occurring depression and anxiety. Multi-reporter, multi-domain assessments will be conducted at initial screening, pre- and post-treatment, and 4-month follow-up. BA is a straightforward, but flexible and robust, therapy that has demonstrated strong results in adults. Current formulations of BA highlight the specific role of avoidance in depressotypic behavior. It presumes that anhedonia, isolation, and negative behaviors associated with depression function to avoid imminent distress even as it blocks access to otherwise available positive reinforcement. This study will therefore employ novel electronic diary technology to obtain Ecological Momentary Assessment and evaluate: (a) the function of avoidance in distinguishing youth with depression (n=35) from a non-clinical comparison group (n=18), and (b) the role of avoidance in mediating treatment gains in participants in the GBAT intervention.

Eligibility overview

Sex: ALL

Age: 11 Years to 15 Years

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study type: INTERVENTIONAL

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* clinical (ADIS CSR ≥ 4) or subclinical (ADIS CSR = 2-3) principal diagnosis of either a DSM-IV-TR unipolar depression disorder (Major Depressive Disorder (\[MDD\], Minor Depression \[MinD\], or Dysthymia \[Dys\]) or
* an anxiety disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder \[GAD\], Social Phobia \[SOP\], Separation Anxiety \[SAD\]).

Exclusion Criteria:

* any principal diagnosis other than anxiety or depression or parent report of mental retardation,
* pervasive developmental disorder,
* schizophrenia, or
* bipolar disorder, or
* report of past-year hospitalization for a suicide attempt. Concurrent use of antidepressant or anxiolytic medications was permitted as long as dosage was stable for at least four weeks and the family intended to maintain the dose.

Locations (1)

Piscataway, New Jersey, United States