De relatieve effectiviteit van CGT elementen en de modererende rol van leeftijd in de preventie van depressie bij adolescenten

Abstract

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in prevention of depressive symptoms among adolescents is effective. However, it is unknown which components of CBT works best and for whom. This study investigates the relative effectiveness of the component problem-solving skills in relation to cognitive restructuring, relaxation and behavioural activation in prevention of depression among adolescents. It is expected that all the components appear to be effective. Beside that, the expectation is that the component problem-solving skills, as well as behavioural activation, appear to be the most effective. Moreover, it is still unknown how the moderated role of age can been seen between younger and older adolescents. It is expected that the component problem-solving skills will work best for older adolescents. This study investigated the interaction between all the components and the two groups of age. The research group completed the CDI-2 to measure depression symptoms. The hypotheses are investigated by 171 adolescents (M age 13.8, SD = 1.46). Paired sample t¬-tests, an ANCOVA and a two-way ANOVA were done to test the hypotheses. Results show that there is no statistical significant effect found in any condition in the degree of depressive symptoms after one component and problem-solving skills is not more effective in relation to the other three components. Furthermore, there appears to be no moderated role of age in the interaction between condition and the degree of depressive symptoms. Future research should focus on the influence of age within the component problem-solving skills. Research and treatment in prevention of depressive symptoms should focus on the length of minimal four sessions per component and the use of a control group is advised.