None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
In a series of preliminary studies we initially developed a 12-item questionnaire known as the Frequency of Actions and Thoughts Scale (FATS; Terides et al., 2018; Terides et al., 2016) which measures coping skills and behaviours. The FATS can be administered inside and outside of therapy, and on a very frequent basis. It is highly acceptable for people experiencing distress and is psychometrically sound. Evidence for the utility of the FATS was strong, indicating that coping skills use and the practice of certain behaviours, measured using the FATS, is closely related to emotional wellbeing – both during and after therapy. We have begun a programme of research to replicate and extend this early work. We have recently conducted a survey with more than 3,000 Australian respondents, further testing the relationship between behaviours, activities, symptoms of mood, anxiety, and levels of satisfaction with life. This survey included a larger sample of questions than used in the FATS. The results of this survey support our model that there are sets of core activities and everyday behaviours strongly associated with emotional health. We have included these key behaviours and activities in the Things You Do Questionnaire (TYDQ), which we believe can predict symptoms of anxiety and depression and, conversely, satisfaction with life. During the present study we want to examine the relationship between everyday activities and behaviours (as measured by the TYDQ) and reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with treatment. We wish to explore whether there are certain activities and behaviours that are more related to symptoms of anxiety and depression and that change more during during treatment. Thus, the purpose of this study is not specifically to evaluate the Wellbeing Course; instead we will be using it as a means to explore the relationship between certain behaviours and emotional wellbeing, and to further evaluate and develop the TYDQ.
Interventions
All participants will complete 5 lessons of an internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) treatment, the Wellbeing Course, focusing on the management of anxiety and depression. All 5 Lessons will be administered online (via the internet); each lesson will be completed every 7 to 10 days. Each lesson will take about 15 minutes to complete. Participants will also have access to summaries of each lesson, and will read anonymous stories about other people with depression and anxiety, taking a further 20 minutes per summary. All participants will also receive weekly reminder emails informing them when lessons become available. The duration of the reminder emails will take an additional 2 minutes to access and read. The duration of the program is 8 weeks. Study questionnaires will be administered at application, pre-treatment, fortnightly during the treatment, and at post-treatment. Each set of questionnaires will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The software presenting the iCBT treatment course will also record information to inform adherence to the intervention (e.g. lessons completed, download history of other treatment materials in the course, number of logins, and duration of logins). All participants will have the option of brief weekly contact (10 to 15 minutes) with a registered psychologist via telephone or a secure messaging system. The psychologist will provide support to participants as needed throughout the course.
Sponsors
Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(a) Aged 18 years or older; (b) Living in Australia; and (c) Experiencing at least mild symptoms of general anxiety and/or depression (indicated by a total score of at least 5 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and/or the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)).
Exclusion criteria
(a) Very severe depression (i.e., indicated by a score > 25 on the PHQ-9) (b) Acutely suicidal or recent history of attempted suicide (i.e., last 12 months) (c) A primary problem that is not anxiety or depression (e.g., psychosis, substance abuse)
Outcome results
None listed