Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT Intervention for Adolescents' Internalizing Problems

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Persistent Depressive Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Social Anxiety Disorder; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT

• Registration Number: NCT04179526
• Lead Sponsor: Babes-Bolyai University

Brief Summary

To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of change of an Internet-delivered transdiagnostic REBT intervention for adolescents with internalizing problems.

Detailed Description

The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of change of an Internet-delivered Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy for adolescents (12-15 years) diagnosed with a principal anxiety or depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups: experimental (REBTonAd) and waitlist control. The intervention is structured in 8 modules and will be delivered over six weeks. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: baseline, post-treatment, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-11-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-11-26
• Study First Posted: 2019-11-27
• Study Start: 2020-01-25
• Primary Completion: 2022-05-30
• Study Completion: 2022-12-30
• Status Verified: 2023-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-09-12
• Last Update Posted: 2023-09-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 106

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 12 and 15 years
• A principal diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Major Depressive Disorder as defined by DSM-5 (APA, 2013)
• Not currently following another treatment (psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment);
• Internet access
• Ability to read and write Romanian

Exclusion Criteria

• Suicidal ideation
• Severe depression
• Any physical and mental health acute problem that requires hospitalization
• Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder or mental disability

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT	Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT	Protocol is based on Rational Emotive Therapy (Ellis, 1962, 1994), structured in 8 modules delivered over 6 weeks (Module 1- Introduction and psychoeducation about emotions, Module 2 - Psychoeducation anxiety and depression, Module 3 - Relaxation, Module 4 - Negative patterns of thinking and cognitive restructuring, Module 5 - Problem solving, Module 6 - Exposure and Behavioral activation, Module 7 - Positive emotions and Module 8 - Gaining maintenance)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Internalizing problems measured with the Youth Self-Report 11/18 (YSR; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001)	Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up	Change in self-reported internalizing problems from baseline to post-treatment, at 6 months post treatment. Higher scores indicate higher levels of internalizing problems.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Automatic Thoughts QuestionnaireShort Version (ATQ-SV; Netemeyer et al., 2002)	Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up	Change in negative automatic thoughts from baseline. Higher scores indicating higher levels of negative automatic thoughts.
The child and adolescent scale of irrationality (CASI; Bernard & Cronan, 1999)	Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up	Change in irrational beliefs from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of irrational beliefs.
The Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents, The Revised Version - adolescent version (Kiddo-KINDL; Ravens-Sieberer, & Bullinger, 1998)	Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up	Change in quality of life from baseline from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of quality of life.
The Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI; Parada, 2000)	Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up	Change in bullying victimization from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of peer victimization.
Principal diagnosis based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria	Baseline, 6-month follow-up	Diagnostic interview for anxiety disorders and/or depressive disorders

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Babeș-Bolyai University; 🇷🇴 Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania