Depressive Symptoms
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two depression prevention programs and a control brochure for college students. Participants may experience reductions in depressive symptoms and prevention of future depression.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGroup-based therapy
College students with depressive symptoms will be randomized to one of three conditions: 1) a cognitive behavioral prevention intervention, 2) a cognitive behavioral prevention intervention with counter-attitudinal elements or 3) an educational brochure control. We will test if the additional of counter attitudinal elements produces intervention effects when delivered to participants with sub threshold depressive symptoms.
Sponsors
Oregon Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 28 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* current student at the University of Oregon * subthreshold symptoms of depression, as indicated by a CES-D depression screener score of 20 or greater
Exclusion criteria
* current diagnosis of major depression * acute suicidal ideation requiring immediate mental health treatment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline Depressive Disorder Diagnostic using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate change (if any) by using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia at the 6 week, 3 month and 6 month marks. |
| Difference in attendance in Change Ahead vs Blues Program groups using group leader notes | Measured at each group therapy session (6 weeks in total). | Evaluate difference (if any) in attendance in Change Ahead vs Blues Program group therapies by using group leader notes. |
| Difference in future onset of Major Depressive Disorder using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. | Evaluate difference (if any) in the future onset of Major Depressive Disorder at 3 months and 6 months. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assessments using writing samples | Measured at baseline and 6 weeks | Evaluate difference (if any) in social and academic problem solving skills and thoughts of the future. |
| Depression and anxiety symptoms using the PHQ-9 | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms |
| Depression and anxiety symptoms using the GAD-7 | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms |
| Social adjustment in school, work, peer, spare time, and family domains | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported social adjustment using 17 items adapted from Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report for Youth (Weissman, Orvaschel, & Padian, 1980) |
| Positive and negative thoughts | Measured at baseline, weeks 2,4 and 6. | Evaluate the participants positive and negative thoughts using Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs). |
| Health care utilization | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported utilization of health care services for physical health problems/injuries, mental health problems, and other personal problems. |
| Negative automatic thoughts | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported negative automatic cognition using 12 items from the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ; Hollon & Kendall, 1980) |
| Negative attributional style | Measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported negative attributional style |
| Substance use | Measured at baseline (in intake screener), 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months | Evaluate difference (in any) in self-reported substance use using 10 items from Stice, Barrera and Chassin (1998). Participants report the frequency of intake of beer/wine/wine coolers and hard liquor, frequency of heavy drinking (5 or more drinks in a row), frequency of times drunk, and frequency of marijuana, stimulants, downers, inhalants, and hallucinogen use. |
| Negative life events | Measured at baseline | Evaluate difference (if any) in self-reported negative life events |
| Activity level | Measured at baseline, weeks 2,4 and 6. | Evaluate the participants activity levels using Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs). |
| Emotions | Measured at baseline, weeks 2,4 and 6. | Evaluate the participants emotions using Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs). |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed