To improve decentering and reduce psychological distress in a sample of young people at risk of depression Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Decentering training.
A 5-week psychological decentering training programme was developed based on our previous protocol. This involves audio-recorded scripts and an accompanying work book that guides
this structure is partly based on a recent taxonomy of self-distancing (a construct closely related to decentering). The decentering techniques include: (Week 1) spatial distancing wherein individuals
(Week 2) verbal distancing/cognitive defusion wherein individuals are taught to re-phrase negative self-relevant statements in a way that challenges its literal value and influence over affective beha
(Week 3) temporal distancing wherein individuals are taught to re-consider specific worries from a temporally distant future (e.g. ‘how would this seem in 5 years?’)
and (Week 4) objective distancing wherein individuals are taught to adopt a third-person perspective towards negative memories. Week 5 is a revision week. These techniques were selected since they are
Sponsors
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 19 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Current inclusion criteria as of 21/12/2021: 1. Older adolescents (aged 16 - 19 years) 2. Access to a laptop/desktop computer and a personal smartphone device 3. Elevated Risk Group: Score of 16 or above on the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression measure. Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Older adolescents (aged 16 - 19 years) 2. Access to a laptop/desktop computer and a personal smartphone device
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Currently take part in a regular yoga and/or mindfulness class/workshop 2. Have participated in prior meditation training or a mindfulness-based stress reduction course 3. Currently experiencing chronic illness (e.g. epilepsy, chronic pain, cancer) 4. Lack fluency in English 5. Have a recent diagnosis of, and are currently receiving medical/psychological treatment for, a mental health condition including (but not limited to) anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder or a traumatic stress disorder 6. Have a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Current primary outcomes as of 23/03/2026: Self-rated decentering as measured by the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ) at post-intervention Previous primary outcomes: Self-rated decentering as measured by the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ) at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. The situational use of decentering will be examined using Experience Sampling Methods (ESM). Two ESM items have been developed to estimate the momentary use of decentering in response to psychological stressors like difficult feelings, memories, or thoughts. ESM items will be delivered four times daily across a five day ESM baseline period and the five weeks of training. 2. Anxiety will be measured using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Short Version (RCADS-15) at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. 3. Depression will be measured using the Centre for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES-D) at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. 4. Anger will be measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 Child and Adolescent (STAXI-2) at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. 5. Psychological wellbeing will be measured using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS) at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention 6. Psychosocial strengths/difficulties will be measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at baseline and post-intervention | — |
Countries
England, Ireland, United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed