Behavioral activation to prevent depression in at-risk adolescents : a pilot feasibility, acceptability and potential impact trial
Aim: To assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential impact of a novel 5-week group Behavioral Activation (BA) prevention program for at-risk adolescents.  Method: A pilot study was conducted, using a pre-post design, for one group of adolescents (N = 9) presenting with depressive symptoms in a high school.  The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to determine the potential impact of the program on depressive symptomatology, the incidence of depressive diagnoses and behavior change from pretest to posttest.  Results: Feasibility and acceptability were established by the active participation, low drop-out rate, and positive comments collected.  As for the potential impact of the program, significant pre-post test differences were detected suggesting that participants initially presenting with overall subclinical depressive symptoms improved.  Enjoyment of activities remained high despite a reduction in the participation of pleasant activities.  Finally, the participants evinced an overall decreased impairment in their functioning. A larger controlled trial is warranted to confirm these results. Conclusions: The proposed group behavioral activation prevention program for adolescents at risk of depression can be offered within a school setting, appears appreciated, feasible and acceptable. Efficacy studies are needed to determine to the clinical significance of BA as a prevention program for adolescent depression.
Behavioral activation Prevention Depression Group program