A Pilot Study of Therapist Guided Activity Practice for Depressive Symptoms

A Pilot Study of Therapist Guided Activity Practice for Depressive Symptoms

There is literature to support both the need for and efficacy of brief interventions for depressive symptoms, particularly among college students.Brief behavioral activation interventions (BATD) have gained recognition as efficacious treatments for depression; yet a recent study evidenced a substantial (39%) non-response rate (Kuyken et al., 2017). In accordance with behavioral models of depression, the treatment involves increasing activity and positive experience, to break the negative reinforcement cycle maintaining depressed mood. Thus, strategies that may facilitate increasing activity may improve BATD outcomes. The objective of the current study is to examine whether briefly practicing a target activity during an activity planning session (modified single session of BATD) increases the likelihood of completing the activity during the upcoming week. We hypothesized that guided activity practice may improve self-efficacy within session and activity completion in the upcoming week. We further aim to explore whether activity completion mediates depressive symptom change.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-65
• University of Texas at Austin students currently enrolled in Introductory Psychology (PSY 301)
• Score >14 on Beck Depression Inventory during both pre-screening and baseline screen
• Avoidance rating >59 and Distress rating >39 on at least one item of the Avoidance Screen.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Initiated psychotherapy or psychotropic medication in past 6 weeks
• Recent change (past 6 weeks) in psychotropic medication
• Current or past psychosis or mania