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A Feasibility Trial of a Novel Approach to Depression Prevention: Targeting Proximal Risk Factors and Application of a Model of Health-Behaviour Change

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
19 January 2016

Abstract

We aimed to develop and conduct a feasibility trial of a brief intervention to target proximal risk factors (i.e., cognitive vulnerability) to prevent depression, as well as to improve understanding of the mechanism of change in our prevention program by the incorporation of the theory of planned behaviour. Thirty-seven university students participated in an open feasibility trial of a brief CBT-based depression prevention program. Participants completed an online questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Results indicated that participants experienced pre- to post-intervention improvements in their self-perceived capacity to learn strategies and an increase in positive affect, demonstrating its preliminary effectiveness in reducing risk factors for depression.

Résumé

Notre objectif a été de concevoir et mettre en oeuvre une étude de faisabilité d'un programme d'intervention de courte durée visant les facteurs de risque proximaux (i.e., vulnérabilité cognitive) pour prévenir la dépression, et améliorer la compréhension des mécanismes de changement dans notre programme de prévention, en incorporant la théorie du comportement planifié. Trente-sept étudiants universitaires ont participé à l’étude ouverte de faisabilité d'un programme de prévention de la dépression de courte durée axée sur la TCC. Les participants ont complétés un questionnaire en ligne précédant et suivant l'intervention. Les résultats montrent que les participants ont subi, entre la période pré et post-intervention, une amélioration dans leur capacité à se percevoir capable d'apprendre des stratégies et une augmentation de leur affect positif, démontrant l'efficacité préliminaire de l'intervention à réduire les facteurs de risque de la dépression.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 35Number 1February 2016
Pages: 47 - 61

History

Version of record online: 19 January 2016

Key Words

  1. depression
  2. prevention
  3. cognitive behaviour therapy
  4. theory of planned behaviour
  5. brief intervention
  6. university students

Mots-clés

  1. dépression
  2. prévention
  3. thérapie cognitivo-comportementale
  4. théorie du comportement planifié
  5. intervention brève
  6. étudiants post-secondaires

Authors

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Kristina L. Bradley [email protected]
Darcy A. Santor
Rylee Oram

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