Behavioral activation is one such empirically supported intervention. Derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy, a well-established treatment for depression, behavioral activation uses psychoeducation and skill-building to increase an individual's engagement in valued and enjoyable activities (e.g., socializing with family and friends, exercising, participating in a hobby) in order to improve depressive symptoms. Research has shown that behavioral activation is an effective intervention for depressed youth. Additionally, it has been shown as a promising intervention that can be conducted in a brief, virtual format and can be effectively implemented by both trained clinicians and trained, non-licensed interventionists. This project will provide Behavioral Activation for youth (12-17) experiencing depression or suicidal ideation who are currently enrolled in the Youth Depression Suicide Network study in Texas.
Participants must be enrolled in the Texas Youth Depression Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN) Registry Study;
Be between the ages of 12- 18 or currently enrolled in high school;
Have a caregiver that is willing to participate in the program;
Be able to commit to weekly sessions for eight weeks;
Have an acute medical or psychological condition(s) that that would, in the judgment of the study medical clinician, make participation difficult or unsafe;
Have an acute medical or psychological condition(s) that would result in an inability to accurately complete study requirements (e.g., neurological conditions or significant neurodevelopmental concerns);
Have active psychotic or manic symptoms resulting in altered mental status and inability to provide assent or requiring immediate attention and/or higher level of intervention;
Have a parent/LAR/guardian who is deemed cognitively unable to provide consent (if youth participant, aged 12-17).
Single group
Behavioral Activation
Other interventionAll participants will undergo behavioral activation treatment for 8-10 weeks
Patient Health Questionnaire 9-modified for adolescents (PHQ-A)
Depression; 4-point Likert scale (0= Not at all; 3= Nearly every day), Score range 0-27 (higher scores indicate greater depression severity)
Behavioral Activation for Depression-Short Form (BAD-SF)
Behavioral Activation; 6-point Likert scale (0= Not al all; 6= Completely), Score range 0-54 (higher scores indicate higher activation)
Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS)
Anhedonia; 5-point Likert scale (0= Not at all; 4= Very much), Score range 0- 68 (higher scores indicate less anhedonia)
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
Behavioral screening; 3-point Likert scale (0= Not at all; 2= Certainly True), Score range 0-40 (higher scores indicate more difficulties)
Duke Social Support Index (DSSI)
Social Support; Multiple Likert scales ((1 = None; 3= More than 2 people)(1= Hardly ever; 3= Most of the time)), Score range 10 -20 (higher scores indicate a higher level of social support)
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Baylor College of Medicine
Lead sponsor
University of Texas
Collaborator
