De modererende rol van sekse en leeftijd op componenten van Cognitieve Gedragstherapie in de preventie van depressie bij adolescenten

Abstract

Background; Four components of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and their effectiveness in adolescent depression prevention, were researched in this experimental study, namely cognitive restructuring, problem solving, behavioural activation and relaxation. The components were categorised into categories; think- (cognitive restructuring and problem solving) and act-components (behavioural activation and relaxation). It was investigated whether gender or age would moderate the effectiveness of the think- and act-components. Methods; Each of the components were operationalized into three sessions (Think, Solve, Act and Relax). The sessions Think and Solve (n=102) were later combined, same for the sessions Act and Relax (n=127). In total the sample consisted of 229 Dutch adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (Mage = 13.8; 56% girls). Through randomization treatment groups were distributed over the conditions. With the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-2) two assessments of depressive symptoms were made. Results; Gender or age did not moderate the effect of the think- and act-components on adolescent depression prevention. Discussion; This is the first study on moderation of gender or age, on the effectiveness of think- and act-components of CBT, on adolescent depression prevention. Future research should include longer and more sessions. In addition, the characteristics of the sample should be representative of the population. Furthermore, professionals should not put their focus merely on gender or age, but more specifically on the individual preferences of an adolescent. Keywords; Prevention, adolescence, depression, CBT, moderation, gender, age. Abbreviations; CDI-2:S: Children’s Depression Inventory-2 Short version. STARr: Solve, Think, Act, Relax and repeat.