Behavioral activation to prevent depression in at-risk adolescents: A pilot feasibility, acceptability and potential impact trial

Abstract

Aim

This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a novel 5-week group Behavioral Activation (BA) prevention program for adolescents at risk of depression.

Methods

A pilot study with a pre-post design was conducted on one group of adolescents (N = 9) with depressive symptoms in a high school setting. The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to determine potential impact of the program on depressive symptomatology, the incidence of depressive diagnoses and behavior change from pretest to posttest.

Results

Feasibility and acceptability were established by the active participation, low drop-out rate, and positive comments collected. As for the potential impact of the program, significant pre-post differences suggest improvement in participants who initially presented with subclinical depressive symptoms. Participants enjoyed the activities they were participating in, despite an overall reduction in the number and variety of activities that were possible due to the pandemic lockdown. Also, the participants expressed an improvement in their functioning.

Conclusions

The group BA prevention program for at-risk adolescents appears feasible, acceptable, and effective within a school setting. A larger controlled trial is needed to confirm its efficacy and determine the clinical significance of BA as a preventive intervention for adolescent depression.