A Single-Session Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Internalizing Problems

A Single-Session Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Internalizing Problems

With the increasing number of adolescents and young adults (AYA) experiencing depression and anxiety, paired with the lack of time, access, and funding towards social services, AYA need a mental health intervention that is affordable and easily accessible. A single-session intervention (SSI), Project Personality, was developed to improve youth growth mindset and reduce symptoms of internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of an SSI in adolescents and young adults at a reproductive community health center.

The mental health of adolescents and young adults (AYA) has greatly been impacted since the beginning of the pandemic. With the increasing number of AYA experiencing depression and anxiety, paired with the lack of time, access, and funding towards social services, AYA need a mental health intervention that is affordable and easily accessible. A single-session intervention (SSI) focused on cultivating an AYA's growth mindset has potential to overcome common barriers to care, such as cost, transportation and stigma related to psychological treatment. Furthermore, research shows having a fixed mindset correlate and can predict higher depressive and anxiety symptoms. Teaching adolescents about growth mindsets could decrease the risk of internalizing symptoms. The SSI, Project Personality, was developed to improve youth growth mindset and reduce symptoms of internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of an SSI in adolescents and young adults at a reproductive community health center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The adolescent or young adult is between the ages of 13 and 24.
• The adolescent or young adult has a score above 5 on either PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) or GAD-7(General Anxiety Disorder-7).
• The adolescent and their parent participating in the study, or the young adult can read and comprehend English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The adolescent or the young adult has severe current suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention as defined by the ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions).
• The adolescent and their parent participating in the study, or the young adult cannot read or comprehend English.
• The adolescent and their parent participating in the study, or the young adult cannot travel to the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Teen Health Clinic to receive the single-session intervention.