Disorders - Depressive Disorders
Bayes, J., Schloss, J., Sibbritt, D.
Background: Depression is a common mental health condition that affects 1 in 8 males each year, especially young
adults. Young adulthood offers an opportunity for early dietary interventions, with research suggesting that a Mediterranean diet (MD) could be
beneficial in treating depression. Objective(s): This study aimed to determine if an MD can improve depressive symptoms in young males with clinical
depression. Method(s): A 12-wk, parallel-group, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of an MD intervention in
the treatment of moderate to severe depression in young males (18-25 y). Befriending therapy was chosen for the control group. Assessments were taken
at baseline, week 6, and week 12. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS). The primary outcome measure was the
Beck Depression Inventory Scale-version II (BDI-II) and secondary outcome was quality of life (QoL). Result(s): A total of 72 participants completed
the study. After 12 wk, the MEDAS scores were significantly higher in the MD group compared with the befriending group (mean difference: 7.8; 95% CI:
7.23, 8.37; P < 0.001). The mean change in BDI-II score was significantly higher in the MD group compared with the befriending group at week 12 (mean
difference: 14.4; 95% CI: 11.41, 17.39; P < 0.001). The mean change in QoL score was also significantly higher in the MD group compared with the
befriending group at week 12 (mean difference: 12.7; 95% CI: 7.92, 17.48; P < 0.001). Conclusion(s): Our results demonstrate that compared with
befriending, an MD intervention leads to significant increases in MEDAS, decreases in BDI-II score, and increases in QoL scores. These results
highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic
population. The trial was registered with Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (trial ID ACTRN12619001545156) and has also been
registered with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (Universal Trial Number U1111-1242-5215). Am J Clin Nutr 2022;116:572-580.
Copyright © The Author(s) 2022.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 116(2) : 572-
580
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Dietary advice, dietary change
Bayes, J., Schloss, J., Sibbritt, D.
BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental health condition which affects 1 in 8 males
each year, especially young adults. Young adulthood offers an opportunity for early dietary interventions, with research suggesting that a
Mediterranean diet (MD) could be beneficial in treating depression. OBJECTIVE(S): This study aimed to determine if a MD can improve depressive
symptoms in young males with clinical depression. METHOD(S): A 12-week, parallel-group, open-label, randomized control trial was conducted to assess
the effect of a MD intervention in the treatment of moderate to severe depression in young males (18-25 years). Befriending therapy was chosen for
the control group. Assessments were taken at baseline, week 6 and week 12. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Adherence Score (MEDAS).
The primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI-II) and secondary outcome was Quality of Life (QoL). RESULT(S): A total of
72 participants completed the study. After 12 weeks, the MEDAS scores were significantly higher in the MD group compared to the befriending group
(Mean diff: 7.8, 95% CI: 7.23, 8.37, p<0.001). The mean change in BDI-II score was significantly higher in the MD group compared to the befriending
group at week 12 (Mean diff: 14.4, 95% CI: 11.41, 17.39, p<0.001). The mean change in QoL score was also significantly higher in the MD group
compared to the befriending group at week 12 (Mean diff: 12.7, 95% CI: 7.92, 17.48), p<0.001). CONCLUSION(S): Our results demonstrate that compared
to befriending, a MD intervention leads to significant increases in MEDAS score, decreases in BDI-II score and increases in QoL scores. These results
highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic
population. Copyright © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.
, 116(2) : 572-580
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Dietary advice, dietary change
Batista, J., Marinai, J. C., Gouveia, M., Oliveira, J.
T., Goncalves, M. M.
Background: There are a plethora of studies on expressive writing and positive writing interventions, but few have
addressed the combination of both paradigms. Additionally, research on the role of ambivalence toward change in the context of writing-based
interventions is lacking. Ambivalence toward change is a natural movement of approaching and avoiding change that may occur in various situations. In
psychotherapy, its resolution is associated with successful outcomes.\rAim: This study tested the efficacy of a combination of expressive and
positive writing paradigms in an internet-based intervention to improve university students' mental health. Additionally, focusing participants on a
current, unresolved problem allowed us to explore the possible role of ambivalence toward change as a mediator of the intervention's results.
\rMethods: We recruited 172 participants who were randomly divided into experimental (n = 85) and control (n = 87) groups. The intervention consisted
of the identification of a current problem and four writing tasks on consecutive days. Assessment was conducted at baseline and posttest in both
groups and at follow-up in the experimental group. Participants in the experimental condition were also assessed after each task. Measures of
anxiety, depression, rumination, ambivalence toward change, distress, and wellbeing (optimism, affect, and satisfaction with life) were collected.
\rResults: Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that participants in the experimental group had a significant decrease from baseline to
posttest in ambivalence toward change and rumination when compared with the control group. These results were maintained at follow-up. No differences
were found in the remaining measures. Within the experimental group, ambivalence toward change, rumination, and distress significantly decreased
throughout the intervention and the exploratory mediation analysis indicated that ambivalence toward change partially mediated the improvements in
rumination and distress.\rDiscussion: Considering different perspectives about a current problem and using a combination of expressive and positive
writing fostered the reduction of ambivalence toward change and rumination. Ambivalence toward change reduction after the second writing task may
have created optimal conditions for the subsequent decrease in rumination and distress. Future studies should replicate this finding and dismantle
the components that are more adequate in changing these variables.
, 13 : 874600
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Creative expression: music, dance, drama, art, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Babbage, C. M., Jackson, G. M., Davies, E. B., Nixon, E.
BACKGROUND: Levels of well-being are declining, whereas rates
of mental health problems remain high in young people. The World Health Organization defines mental health as not merely the absence of mental
disorder but also includes social and psychological well-being as integral to positive mental health, highlighting that mental health is applicable
to young people with mental health conditions and those without a diagnosis of a mental health condition. Reduced mental well-being have been
identified in studies of young people with clinical populations, as well as in populations consisting of nonclinical young people. Self-help digital
interventions can be delivered at mass at a low cost and without the need for trained input, thereby facilitating access to support for well-being.
Self-help interventions are effective in young people with mental health conditions, but systematic reviews of such studies have been limited to
randomized controlled trials, have not included reduced well-being as an inclusion criterion, and do not consider engagement factors such as
retention.\rOBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to systematically review all controlled studies of digitally delivered, self-administered
interventions for young people aged 9 to 25 years, with perceived or clinically diagnosed reduced psychological well-being. Participant retention and
effectiveness of the interventions were also explored.\rMETHODS: A systematic search of the PsycInfo, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases
from inception to 2021, reference searches of relevant papers, and gray literature was carried out for digitally controlled studies conducted with
young people with perceived or clinically diagnosed reduced well-being, aimed at improving psychological well-being. Data were extracted to identify
the effectiveness and retention rates of the interventions and the quality of the studies.\rRESULTS: Overall, 1.04% (12/1153) of studies met the
inclusion criteria: 83% (10/12) of studies were randomized controlled trials and 17% (2/12) were controlled pre-post studies. Most (6/12, 50%)
studies aimed to improve symptoms of depression; 3 interventions aimed at both anxiety and depressive symptoms and 2 studies aimed at improving
social functioning difficulties. Owing to the high risk of bias across interventions and lack of similar outcome measures, a meta-analysis was not
conducted. Retention rates across studies were regarded as good, with moderate to high retention. Overall, the findings indicated that predominantly
self-administered self-help interventions improved well-being in the areas targeted by the intervention and identified additional areas of well-being
that were positively affected by interventions. Few interventions supported psychological well-being that was different from those used by young
people with a clinical diagnosis of mental illness or young people from neurodiverse backgrounds.\rCONCLUSIONS: The findings, along with the
advantages of self-help interventions, highlight the need for upscaling self-help interventions to better support vulnerable populations of young
people who experience poor psychological well-being.\rTRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019129321; https://tinyurl.com/4fb2t4fz.
JMIR Mental
Health, 9(8) : e25716
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Psychoeducation, Other Psychological Interventions, Attention/cognitive bias
modification, Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Asghar, J., Tabasam, M., Althobaiti, M. M., Adnan
Ashour, A., Aleid, M. A., Ibrahim Khalaf,
O., Aldhyani, T. H. H.
Introduction: Due to the complexity of symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD), the majority of depression scales fall short of
accurately assessing a patient's progress. When selecting the most appropriate antidepressant treatment in MDD, a multidimensional scale such as the
Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D) may provide clinicians with more information especially when coupled with unidimensional analysis of some
key factors such as depressed mood, altered sleep, psychic and somatic anxiety and suicidal ideation etc. Method(s): HAM-D measurements were carried
out in patients with MDD when treated with two different therapeutic interventions. The prespecified primary efficacy variables for the study were
changes in score from baseline to the end of the 12 weeks on HAM-D scale (i.e., <= 8 or >=50% response). The study involved three assessment points
(baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks). Result(s): Evaluation of both the absolute HAM-D scores and four factors derived from the HAM-D (depressed mood,
sleep, psychic and somatic anxiety and suicidal ideation) revealed that the latter showed a greater promise in gauging the anti-depressant responses.
Conclusion(s): The study confirms the assumption that while both drugs may improve several items on the HAM-D scale, the overall protocol may fall
short of addressing the symptoms diversity in MDD and thus the analysis of factor (s) in question might be more relevant and meaningful. Copyright ©
2022 Asghar, Tabasam, Althobaiti, Adnan Ashour, Aleid, Ibrahim Khalaf and Aldhyani.
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13 (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants, Antidepressants
(any)
Ascone, L., Garcia-Forlim, C., Gallinat, J., Kuhn, S.
BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on the hippocampus (HC) and cognitive
performance. Evidence in humans is scarce. It was hypothesised that probiotic supplementation is associated with enhanced hippocampal (HC) regional
grey matter volume (rGMV), as well as HC functional connectivity (FC). Relatedly improvements in mnestic and navigational performance, or emotional
well-being, were expected to be observed in healthy human volunteers. METHOD(S): A randomised-controlled, double-blind trial (RCT) was conducted in N
= 59 volunteers (age Mean = 27.1, s.d. = 6.7), applying a multi-strain probiotic (Vivomixx) v. non-probiotic milk-powder placebo, each with 4.4
g/day, for 4 weeks. Volumetric data was extracted from 3T structural magnetic resonance images of total HC and -subfields. Voxel-based morphometry
(VBM) and FreeSurfer-based analyses were performed. Potential neuroplastic change beyond HC was explored using whole-brain-VBM for white- and GMV.
Seed-based FC was calculated based on HC. Cognitive tests included visual, map-based, object-location, and verbal memory, and spatial navigation.
Mental health status (stress, anxiety, depression, and emotion-regulation) was assessed using self-reports. RESULT(S): There were no changes in HC-
total, -subfield GMV, or FC, through probiotics. VBM revealed no changes at a whole-brain-level. There were no effects on cognitive performance or
mental health. Evidence in favor of the null-hypothesis, using Bayesian statistics, was consistent. CONCLUSION(S): The applied multi-strain probiotic
did not elicit any effects concerning hippocampal structural plasticity, cognition, or mental well-being in young, healthy adults. For future
studies, longer application/observation RCTs, perhaps in stressed, otherwise psychologically/ cognitively vulnerable, or ageing groups, with well-
founded strain selection and investigation of mechanism, are advised.
Psychological medicine, : 1-11
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Vitamins and supplements
Asarnow, L.
D.
Objectives: An evening circadian preference is characterized by a behavioral predilection for later sleep and wake
timing and is associated with higher rates of MDD. The present study aims to: 1) test the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral sleep intervention
(Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention; TranS-C) in a sample of adolescents with an evening circadian preference and MDD; and 2) evaluate
improved alignment between circadian biology and sleep-wake behavior as a potential mechanism in the relationship between sleep and depression
symptom improvement. Method(s): Adolescents with an evening circadian preference and MDD were randomized to receive TranS-C (n = 24) or a
psychoeducation condition (PE; n = 18). Circadian alignment was measured using phase angle difference (PAD). Measures of sleep and circadian rhythm
were taken at pre- and posttreatment, and depression symptoms were measured at pre- and posttreatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Result(s):
Mixed effects modeling revealed that when compared to an active control condition, TranS-C resulted in significant reduction in MDD severity (p
=.002). A MacArthur mediation analysis conducted to explore PAD as a mediator of depression severity reduction through 12-month follow-up revealed a
significant interaction between the change in the PAD and treatment arm (p =.014). Conclusion(s): These results provide novel evidence for a
reduction in circadian misalignment as a specific mechanism of depression improvement, provide key clues into the complex relationship between sleep
and depression, and have significant clinical implications for adolescents with depression. ADOL, DDD, SLP Copyright © 2022
Journal of the American Academy of
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 61(10 Supplement) : S302-S303
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Psychoeducation, Other Psychological Interventions
Artiran, M., DiGiuseppe, R.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for outpatients with GAD and mild depression
and tested the effectiveness of REBT to an active, alternative treatment, Humanistic, Client-Centered Therapy (HCCT) in a clinical setting. The study
aimed to understand whether REBT is a more effective treatment than HCCT through testing both pre-treatment and including three-month follow-up
results. Thirty-one participants were assessed for overall psychopathological variables such as anxiety, depression, levels of unhealthy negative
emotions and regret, activation, hope and nothingness as ontological well-being (OWB) variables before and after a 12 week intervention as well as
during a three-month follow-up. We randomly assigned participants to either REBT or HCCT. The psychotherapists followed strict guidelines to
incorporate the distinctive features of REBT. This included educating clients about irrational and rational beliefs, introducing the binary model of
emotional distress, using a range of disputing techniques (logical, philosophic, and functional), and discussing alternative rational beliefs such as
unconditional acceptance of self, others, and life. The HCCT group was treated with Rogerian techniques such as unconditional positive regard,
accepting negative emotions, and reflection. The clients completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Shortened Attitude and
Beliefs Scale, the Ontological Well-being Scale, and the healthy and unhealthy negative emotions scale. The outcomes were analyzed using split plot
ANOVA with post hoc, Reliable Change Index, and Clinical Significance Change Index. Although split-plot ANOVA results showed that there was not
significant difference in main effect of treatment between REBT and HCCT groups, further detailed analysis such as main effect of time, time by
interaction values, Reliable Change Indices, clinically significant change analysis, and post hoc indicated that REBT treatment was more beneficial
than HCCT treatment at any of the three time points in most variables. Another experimental study with larger sample is needed to confirm the result
in future studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
, 40(2) : 206-233
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions, Positive
psychology
Arkin-Alvarado-Garcia, P.
A., Soto-Vasquez, M. R., Rosales-Cerquin, L. E.
Background: As the COVID-19
pandemic progresses, mental health begins to be affected. In this sense, practical and low-cost solutions are necessary to minimize the impact on the
population. Aim(s): This study aimed to determine the effect of a mindfulness-based online intervention for mental health during times of COVID-19.
Method(s): A quasi-experimental study was carried out with pre-test and post-test measurements in a sample of 62 participants divided into an
experimental group whose members were administered a 12-session mindfulness online program, and a control group on the waiting list. The Zung Self-
Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) to measure depression, and the Perceived Stress
Scale (PSS-14) to determine stress levels. Result(s): The levels of anxiety, depression, and stress decreased after the intervention, finding
significant differences between the groups and study phases (P < 0.05). In addition, moderate changes in anxiety (d = 0.849, g = 0.847) and
depression (d = 0.533, g = 0.530) were found, as well as important changes in stress reduction (d = 1.254, g = 1.240). Conclusion(s): There is
evidence of a potential for the use of mindfulness program to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in stressful situations such as the
COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2022 Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
, 64(3) : 264-
268
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy
Arango, C., Buitelaar, J. K., Fegert, J. M., Olivier, V., Penelaud, P.-F., Marx, U., Chimits, D., Falissard, B.
[Correction
Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 9(3) of The Lancet Psychiatry (see record 2022-36181-020). In the original article, the
appendix of this Article, a study investigator was incorrectly named as Evgeniy Vladimirovich instead of Evgeniy Koren. This correction has been made
to the online version.] Background: Major depressive disorder is a severe illness that frequently manifests before the age of 18 years, often
recurring later in life. Paediatric medical treatment options are scarce. The melatonin receptor agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamine2C receptor
antagonist agomelatine is used to treat adults, and could offer a new therapeutic option for paediatric patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate
the short-term antidepressant efficacy and safety of agomelatine in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder. Methods: We performed a
12 week, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 trial in 46 specialist psychiatric units or centres in Bulgaria, Finland,
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, and Ukraine. Participants (aged 7-17 years) were eligible if they were unresponsive to
psychosocial therapy during the 3-week run-in period (Children's Depression Rating Scale-revised [CDRS-R] score of >=45). Ethnicity was not
recorded. We investigated short-term antidepressant efficacy of agomelatine (10 mg or 25 mg per day) versus placebo with an active control
(fluoxetine 10-20 mg depending on symptom severity) after 12 weeks of treatment in children (aged 7-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) with
major depressive disorder. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to agomelatine 10 mg, agomelatine 25 mg, placebo, or fluoxetine via an
interactive response system with permuted-block randomisation. Standardised manualised psychosocial counselling, developed for this trial, was
initiated from selection and continued throughout the study, including the open-label extension. All people involved in the conduct of the clinical
trial and patients were masked to treatment allocation. Study outcomes were measured using standardised interviews at each study visit. The primary
endpoint was change in CDRS-R raw score from baseline to week 12. This study is registered with EudraCT, 2015-002181-23. Findings: Between Feb 23,
2016, and Jan 14, 2020, 466 individuals were assessed for eligibility and of 400 included patients, 396 (247 [62%] girls, 149 [38%] boys; mean age
13.7 years [SD 2.7]) were analysed (full analysis set). The primary objective was met; 25 mg/day agomelatine (n=94, with n=102 receiving 10 mg/day)
resulted in an improvement versus placebo (n=101) in CDRS-R raw score of 4.22 (95% CI 0.63-7.82; p=0.040) at 12 weeks, with a similar effect for
fluoxetine (n=99), establishing assay sensitivity. The overall effect was confirmed in adolescents (n=317), but not in children (n=79). No unexpected
safety signals were observed with agomelatine, with no significant weight gain or effect on suicidal behaviours. Interpretation: This first study in
a paediatric population supports the efficacy of 25 mg/day agomelatine, in addition to psychosocial counselling, in treating adolescent patients with
major depressive disorder, with no unexpected safety signals. This medication could provide another option in the limited psychopharmaceutical
repertoire for management of major depressive disorder. Funding: Servier. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
The Lancet.
Psychiatry, 9(2) : 113-124
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Antidepressants
(any), Other antidepressants
Ang, W. H. D., Lau, S. T., Cheng, L. J., Chew, H. S. J., Tan, J. H., Shorey, S., Lau, Y.
Our review explores the effectiveness of resilience interventions on improving resilience,
reducing depressive symptoms, and overcoming stress symptoms among higher education students. We conducted a systematic search in 10 electronic
English and Chinese language databases. Twenty-nine randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review.
Effect sizes from 25 RCTs were calculated for meta-analysis and metaregression. The results of a random effects model reveal that resilience
interventions are effective in improving resilience with small effect size (g = .32, 95% CI [.15, .49]), reducing depressive symptoms with small
effect size (g = .25, 95% CI [.06, 44]), and overcoming stress (g = .22, 95% CI [.08, .32]). Subgroup analyses conclude that effect sizes of
resilience interventions comprising skills that enhance social competency are statistically significantly larger than those of interventions without.
In addition, the effect sizes are larger when resilience interventions used synchronous communication and delivered through a mixture of didactic and
dialectic approaches. Metaregression reveals that trials rated with low scores in the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument
considerably influence scores in resilience. Our meta-analysis supports the use of resilience interventions as a universal prevention strategy among
higher education students. This review ends with implications for practice and directions for further research on developing resilience
interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The results of this meta-analysis concluded that
resilience interventions can potentially build resilience and reduce depressive and stress symptoms among higher education students. Interventions
were more effective when they focused on building students' social competency, used synchronous communication, and delivered through a mixture of
didactic and dialectic approaches. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
, 114(7) : 1670 - 1694
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions
Andrews, J. L., Birrell, L., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Allsop, S., McBride, N., Hides, L., Andrews, G., Olsen, N., Mewton, L., Slade,
T.
BACKGROUND: Lifetime trajectories of mental ill-health are often established
during adolescence. Effective interventions to prevent the emergence of mental health problems are needed. In the current study we assessed the
efficacy of the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed Climate Schools universal eHealth preventive mental health programme, relative to a
control. We also explored whether the intervention had differential effects on students with varying degrees of social connectedness. METHOD(S): We
evaluated the efficacy of the Climate Schools mental health programme (19 participating schools; average age at baseline was 13.6) v. a control group
(18 participating schools; average age at baseline was 13.5) which formed part of a large cluster randomised controlled trial in Australian schools.
Measures of internalising problems, depression and anxiety were collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention and at 6-, 12- and 18-
months post intervention. Immediately following the intervention, 2539 students provided data on at least one outcome of interest (2065 students at
18 months post intervention). RESULT(S): Compared to controls, we found evidence that the standalone mental health intervention improved knowledge of
mental health, however there was no evidence that the intervention improved other mental health outcomes, relative to a control. Student's social
connectedness did not influence intervention outcomes. CONCLUSION(S): These results are consistent with recent findings that universal school-based,
CBT-informed, preventive interventions for mental health have limited efficacy in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression when delivered alone.
We highlight the potential for combined intervention approaches, and more targeted interventions, to better improve mental health outcomes.
Psychological medicine, : 1-10
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions