Depression, Experiential Diversity, and Behavioral Novelty

Depression, Experiential Diversity, and Behavioral Novelty: A Mobile Sensing Experimental Paradigm

The purpose of the study is to test whether changes in behavioral patterns are related to changes in depression. Depression is a psychological condition that involves persistent sad mood and/or an inability to enjoy pleasurable activities. Very stable behavioral patterns may be related to symptoms of depression. The aim of this study is to learn more about the relationship between symptoms of depression and behavioral patterns that are collected via global positioning system location data from a smart phone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-25
• Possession and daily use of a smart phone
• Able to speak and read English
• Patient Health Questionnaire -8 (PHQ-8) > 10
• Behavioral Activation for Depression (BADS) Activation Subscale < 16
• Ability to complete all study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported lifetime diagnosis of agoraphobia or bipolar disorder
• Severe neurodevelopmental disorder
• Major travel plans within study period