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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03780881

EXperimental Paradigm to Investigate Expectation Change in Depression 4

Research has shown that people with depressive symptoms maintain negative expectations even if they have positive experiences that contradict their expectations. Healthy people, however, change their expectations after unexpected positive experiences. In this experimental study, it will now be examined whether there are also differences between healthy people and people with depressive symptoms in dealing with unexpected negative experiences.

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Schoen Klinik Bad Arolsen

Bad Arolsen, Hesse, 34454, Germany

About this study

Research has already shown that people with depressive symptoms continue to hold on to negative expectations even if they have positive experiences that contradict their expectations. By contrast, healthy people change their expectations after unexpectedly positive experiences. In this experimental study, the authors will now examine whether there are also differences between healthy people and people with depressive symptoms in processing unexpectedly negative experiences. It is hypothesized that people with depressive symptoms change their expectations in a negative direction after unexpectedly negative experiences, while healthy people continue to hold on to an optimistic view.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

(clinical sample):

  • diagnosis of major depression
  • at least 18 years old
  • sufficient German language skills

Exclusion criteria

(clinical sample):

  • participation in previous studies on changes in expectations

Inclusion criteria

(healthy sample):

  • at least 18 years old
  • sufficient German language skills

Exclusion criteria

(clinical sample):

  • participation in previous studies on changes in expectations
  • current diagnosis of any mental disorder
  • diagnosis of major depression in the past
  • currently receiving psychotherapeutic treatment

Treatment and study plan

Expectation confirmation

Behavioral

Participants receive manipulated feedback indicating that their performance was above average in the test they had previously worked on. This feedback is intended to confirm the previously induced positive expectations of their own performance.

Expectation disconfirmation

Behavioral

Participants receive manipulated feedback indicating that their performance was below average in the test they had previously worked on. This feedback is intended to negatively disconfirm the previously induced positive expectations of their own performance.

Primary outcomes

  1. 2-Item Performance Expectations Scale - generalized

    Time frame: Immediately before the performance test and immediately after completion of the performance test

    Changes from baseline to postassessment in generalized performance expectations. Each item is scored from 1 to 7 (1 = very negative expectations, 7 = very positive expectations), yielding a total score between 2 and 14. Higher total scores reflect more positive expectations.

Secondary outcomes

  1. 2-Item Performance Expectations Scale - task-specific

    Time frame: Immediately before the performance test and immediately after completion of the performance test

    Changes from baseline to postassessment in task-specific performance expectations. Each item is scored from 1 to 7 (1 = very negative expectations, 7 = very positive expectations), yielding a total score between 2 and 14. Higher total scores reflect more positive expectations.

Other outcomes

  1. 5-Item Cognitive Immunization after Performance Feedback (CIPF) scale

    Time frame: Immediately after completion of the performance test

    Engagement in cognitive immunization strategies after receiving performance feedback. Each item is scored from 1 to 7 (1 = no cognitive immunization, 7 = great engagement in cognitive immunization), yielding a total score between 5 and 35. Higher total scores reflect a greater engagement in cognitive immunization strategies.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Philipps University Marburg

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Worse Than Expected - Differences Between Healthy and Depressed People in Processing Unexpectedly Negative Information

Acronym: EXPECD4

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Dec 19, 2018
Registry last updated
Dec 5, 2023

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.

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