Volunteering as an Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Adolescents: Investigating Neurobiological Mechanisms
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 9
- Locations
- 3
- Primary Endpoint
- Participant recruitment
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism.
Detailed Description
The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism. In addition, this study will test a potential mechanism by which volunteering might decrease depressive symptoms: increasing psychosocial assets, specifically decreasing self-orientation and increasing an orientation toward others. This will be measured through self-report as well as using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will be the first study to explore how neural response patterns are potentially altered by intense experiences with volunteerism among depressed adolescents.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 14 Years to 20 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •age 14-20
- •new mild to moderate depression diagnosis (single episode)
- •new mild to moderate anxiety diagnosis
- •new adjustment disorder diagnosis
- •have been in treatment for < 8 months
- •right-handed
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of recurrent depressive, anxiety or adjustment disorder episodes
- •have been in treatment > 8 months
- •left-handed
- •expressing suicidal ideation
- •claustrophobia
- •any contraindications for completing an MRI scan
Arms & Interventions
Adolescent Participants
Participants will be assigned to participate in community service (from a menu of options) for 30 hours.
Intervention: Volunteer experience (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Participant recruitment
Time Frame: 6 months
Number of participants screened (reported by clinical mental health providers)
Participant retention
Time Frame: 6 months
Number of participants retained in full study
Depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory)
Time Frame: 6 months
Beck Depression Inventory to measure depressive symptoms. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3. The minimum total score is 0 and the maximum total score is 63. Higher scores denote worse outcome
Secondary Outcomes
- Self-efficacy(6 months)
- Empathy(6 months)
- Strength of Connectivity in DMN (Default Mode Network)(6 months)
- Hope scale (Abler et al., 2017)(6 months)
- Beck Hopelessness Inventory(6 months)
- Orientation Toward Others(6 months)