None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Based on biological attribution theory it is hypothesised that the biological explanation for depression will lead to a greater decrease in young peoples’ anticipated self-stigma associated with depression than the other two conditions. It is further hypothesised that any decrease in self-stigma will lead to increased help-seeking intention (from a mental health professional) by these young people if they were to experience depression in the future.
Interventions
It will comprise a randomised control trial (RCT) where students are randomly assigned to one of three educational paradigms: a biological attribution condition, a psychosocial attribution condition or a control condition involving the provision of general information about depression. The intervention will be delivered online.
The Biological Condition
Content for this experimental intervention will include a vignette outlining information about the biological basis for depression. The gener
It will comprise a randomised control trial (RCT) where students are randomly assigned to one of three educational paradigms: a biological attribution condition, a psychosocial attribution condition or a control condition involving the provision of general information about depression. The intervention will be delivered online. The Biological Condition Content for this experimental intervention will include a vignette outlining information about the biological basis for depression. The general message will be that 'Depression is an illness like any other illness' and that the onset of depression is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. The Psychosocial Condition Content for this experimental intervention will include a vignette outlining information about the psychosocial basis for depression. The general message will be that depression results from the stress in our social environment and our reactions to it. The survey and intervention will be completed online in one lesson of the normal class schedule (approximately 50 minutes), in a one-off educational intervention.
Sponsors
Australian National University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
This will be a universal intervention (ie, participants selected regardless of mental health status) involving all Year 11 and 12 students in each college.
Exclusion criteria
15 years or under.
Outcome results
None listed