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Transdiagnostic Behavioral Activation Therapy for Youth Anxiety and Depression
Sponsor: Rutgers University
Summary
Psychological therapies for depression have demonstrated efficacy, but outcomes are still unsatisfactory, especially in cases with high comorbidity. Depression and anxiety co-occur in up to 69-75% of teens and intensify functional impairment and service use. This study will develop treatment materials for a transdiagnostic Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) and conduct a pilot waitlist-controlled school-based study with 35 7th and 8th grade boys and girls with co-occurring depression and anxiety. Multi-reporter, multi-domain assessments will be conducted at initial screening, pre- and post-treatment, and 4-month follow-up. BA is a straightforward, but flexible and robust, therapy that has demonstrated strong results in adults. Current formulations of BA highlight the specific role of avoidance in depressotypic behavior. It presumes that anhedonia, isolation, and negative behaviors associated with depression function to avoid imminent distress even as it blocks access to otherwise available positive reinforcement. This study will therefore employ novel electronic diary technology to obtain Ecological Momentary Assessment and evaluate: (a) the function of avoidance in distinguishing youth with depression (n=35) from a non-clinical comparison group (n=18), and (b) the role of avoidance in mediating treatment gains in participants in the GBAT intervention.
Official title: The Function of Avoidance in Depressed Behavior and a Pilot of Transdiagnostic Behavioral Activation Therapy
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
11 Years - 15 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
895
Start Date
2009-09
Completion Date
2012-06
Last Updated
2026-07-17
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT)
GBAT consists of 15 weekly, hour-long sessions. The first five group sessions teach four core BA principles: (a) psychoeducation of anxiety and depression, (b) functional analysis and identifying the maintaining role of avoidance, (c) problem solving and approach-oriented decision-making, and (d) graded exposures and behavioral activation. The second five group sessions consist of graded exposures or engagement exercises, where group members take turns practicing skills in role plays and in vivo exposures. Each youth receives two individual meetings (30-45 minutes) after the second and fourth group sessions. The first individual meeting promotes engagement and motivation for the group; the second helps develop the youth's individual avoidance/challenge hierarchy.
Locations (1)
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey, United States