Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00183417

Depression Prevention Program for Adolescents

This study will compare the effectiveness of two programs designed to prevent depression in adolescents.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms

Age range

14 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

About this study

Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in adolescents. In many cases, the condition is recurrent and can result in serious psychological impairment. A high number of depressed adolescents never receive treatment; therefore, it is crucial to develop prevention programs for this disorder that are effective and can be easily disseminated. This study will evaluate and compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and supportive/expressive (S/E) therapy in preventing depressive symptoms in adolescents.

This study will last 2 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive six sessions of CBT, S/E therapy, or standard depression education over 2 years. The CBT intervention will focus on reducing negative thoughts and increasing engagement in pleasant activities. S/E therapy is designed to allow adolescents to express their negative emotions and talk about recent stressful events in a supportive environment of their peers. Surveys and psychiatric interviews will be completed by all participants and their parents at the beginning and the end of the study. The surveys and interviews will assess depressive symptoms.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Beck Depression Inventory score higher than 10
  • Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of depression

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)

Behavioral

Participants will complete worksheets and group discussion on how to increase positive mood and activity.

Supportive/expressive (S/E) therapy

Behavioral

Participants will be encouraged to express feelings and emotions without advice giving.

Bibliotherapy

Behavioral

Participants will be given a book on how to increase their mood.

Primary outcomes

  1. Depressive symptoms

    Time frame: Measured at Year 1

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Texas at Austin

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Registry information

Official study title

Depression Prevention Program for High-Risk Adolescents

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Sep 16, 2005
Registry last updated
Apr 25, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.