Measuring and Enhancing Creativity and Brain Flexibility in Adolescents With Depression

Measuring and Enhancing Creativity and Brain Flexibility in Adolescents With Depression

This research is designed to find out if engaging in creative activities will help adolescents with depression have more flexible thinking, start to see and appreciate their own talents, and develop a more positive view of themselves and their future.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 12-17 years
• Phase 1: no clinical diagnosis required.
• Phase 2: presence of at least "mild" depression symptoms as measured by a score of at least 12 on the parent-report Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) (completed in the screening form).
• Phase 2, Summer 2025 East African cohort: The adolescent identifies as East African.
• Phase 2, Summer 2025 Native American cohort: The adolescent identifies as Native American.

Exclusion Criteria:

• any MRI contraindications (e.g., claustrophobia, braces, pregnancy); Note: MRI exclusion is removed for Summer 2023 and 2025 cohorts since the neuroimaging has been removed from the protocol for those cohorts
• neurodevelopmental disorder such as intellectual disability or moderate / severe autism, as indicated by parent report;
• significant medical conditions that would interfere with participating in study activities;
• currently active suicidal ideation, and unable to agree to an appropriate safety plan
• history of significant neurological conditions that might confound MRI analyses (e.g., current and severe epilepsy, brain tumor). Note: this exclusion is removed for Summer 2023 and 2025 cohorts since they will not have MRI.