Internet Transdiagnostic-CBT for Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents

Internet-Delivered Transdiagnostic CBT Program to Improve Access for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study represents the first research program to assess the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavior therapy (T-CBT) delivered via internet for anxiety and depression in adolescents. The primary aim of the study was to implement the program AMTE (Aprende a Manejar tus Emociones [Learn to Manage Your Emotions]), an internet delivered T-CBT protocol designed to target both anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders (major depression disorder, dysthymic disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder) in adolescents, and to establish its preliminary efficacy on anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A secondary objective is to demonstrate its potential effect regarding: (a) transdiagnostic measures associated with etiology of emotional disorders including negative affect, anxiety sensitivity, and emotional avoidance, and (b) positive factors including satisfaction with life and positive affect. It is expected that the T-CBT condition will be more effective than an active control condition (ACC) on the primary (anxiety and depression) and secondary (transdiagnostic and positive factors) outcome measures. The study is a randomized controlled trial with two arms (an experimental group and an active control condition). Assessment is contucted at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. For ethical reasons, participants in the ACC condition are offered the opportunity to receive the experimental condition (i.e., the iUP-A) following the completion of the post-treatment assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having identified Spanish as the first official language spoken and having good reading comprehension in Spanish.
• Reliable internet access.
• Meeting the DSM-IV diagnosis criteria for more than one emotional disorder (separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, major depression disorder, and dysthymia).
• No current participating in cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• No changes in medication for 4 weeks prior to the study; no changes in medication for the next 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of psychotic symptoms or severe depression.
• Being diagnosed an alcohol and/or substance dependence disorder.
• The presence of high suicidal risk.
• A medical condition which prevents the participant from carry out the psychological treatment.