Effects of Behavioural Activation on Emotional Cognition and Mood

Effects of Behavioural Activation on Emotional Cognition and Mood

Behavioural activation (BA) is widely accepted as an efficacious treatment for depression. It has been suggested that several depression treatments work via early changes in emotional processing (e.g. affective bias in the processing of facial expressions) and that these could help predict treatment success, but it has not yet been examined whether the same applies in behavioural interventions. The investigators will examine how BA affects early emotional information processing in participants who are currently experiencing low mood, to see whether this can predict eventual changes in mood and to gain a better understanding of the treatment mechanisms of BA. Participants will be in three groups undergoing either behavioural activation, or activity monitoring alone (active control) for 4 weeks, or they will be on a waiting list (passive control). The investigators will also examine whether other factors, such as anxiety, social support and environmental reward, can predict the success of BA. This could help us understand how BA works and who may be most suitable for this intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female or male
• Age: 18 to 65 years
• Competency to give informed consent
• Scores above 14 on BDI-2 (bottom criterion for mild depression)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous participation in a study that used the emotional test battery (ETB)
• Currently undergoing any form of psychotherapy or counselling
• Taking antidepressant medication for less than 3 months, or changing existing psychiatric medication within the past month
• Current or past a diagnosis of psychosis or a bipolar disorder
• Current diagnosis of an eating disorder, a borderline personality disorder, or a substance abuse disorder
• Any other factor that would indicate the participant isn't able to comply with the requirements of the study according to the opinion of the chief investigator (severe insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neurological conditions impairing cognitive function etc.)
• Symptoms of depression are too severe (score 20 and above on the PHQ-9 questionnaire or according to the evaluation of study psychiatrist)