Effect van probleemoplossende vaardigheden binnen cognitieve gedragstherapie in de preventie van depressie bij adolescenten

Abstract

Early recognition of depressive symptoms and early intervention are critical in preventing depression. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be effective and is one of the most widely used methods in preventing depression among adolescents. However, effect sizes are small and there is a lot of uncertainty about the exact effect. CBT focuses on several components, of which Cognitive Restructuring (CH), Behavioral Activation (GA), Problem Solving (PO) and Relaxation (RE) are considered important components. Current study has focused on the effect of these components on depressive symptoms. PO had been the main focus, because deficits in problem-solving skills have been associated with the development of depression and because little is known about the effectiveness of PO in adolescent prevention programs. In addition to the effect on depressive feelings, the effect on the problem-solving skills of the adolescents within the components was also examined. Current study is part of a longitudinal study. The sample consisted of 213 preselected adolescents (Mage = 13.83 SD = 1.52). Adolescents are randomly assigned to a sequence within the prevention program. In the present study, the pre-measurement and intermediate measurement of depressive feelings and problem-solving skills were used. After three sessions, none of the components found significant differences in adolescents' depressive feelings or resolution skills. In either case, no significant differences were found between the components. The low amount of sessions seems to influence this result. Further research into the effectiveness is needed, where there must be more than eight sessions per component.