Het effect van cognitieve herstructurering en gedragsactivering in het verminderen van depressieve symptomen bij adolescenten: Ernst als moderator

Abstract

The prevalence of depression in adolescents is estimated to be approximately 7.5% to 11%. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs have been shown to be the most effective in preventing depression in adolescents. CBT consists of several components, of which cognitive restructuring (CH) and behavioral activation (GA) are most consistent with the original theories of CBT. The aim of this study was to investigate whether depressive symptom severity moderates both the effect of CH and GA and the effect of sequence on reducing depressive symptoms in adolescents. The sample included 102 adolescents. There were two conditions each consisting of two modules of 3 sessions each; CH – GA (n=57) and GA – CH (n=45). Moderator severity was operationalized in two ways, by self-report and clinical interview assessment based on the number of symptoms. The results showed that severity of depressive symptoms is not a moderator for both the effect of the individual modules and the order in which the modules are presented. Current research therefore shows that the severity of the symptoms of adolescents is not relevant for the effect of GA or CH and the order in which these components are presented within indicated prevention. Limitations of this research, recommendations for future research and implications for practice are discussed.