Abstract
BackgroundSymptoms of depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in adolescence and they are the cause of considerable suffering. Even so, adolescents are not inclined to seek professional help for emotional problems. Internet-based preventive interventions have been suggested as a feasible method of providing appropriate care to adolescents with internalizing symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of preventive Internet-based (guided) self-help problem-solving therapy (PST) for adolescents reporting mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety as compared to a waiting list control group (WL).Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 45 participants were randomized to the 2 conditions. PST consisted of 5 weekly lessons. Participants were supported by e-mail. Self-report measures of depression and anxiety were filled in at baseline and after 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 4 months. Of the 45 participants, 28 (62.2%) completed questionnaires after 3 weeks, 28 (62.2%) after 5 weeks, and 27 (60%) after 4 months. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed overall improvement over time for both groups on depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, no significant group x time interactions were found. No differences were found between completers and non-completers.Conclusions/Significance Results show that depressive and anxiety symptoms declined in both groups. No support was found, however, for the assumption that Internet-based PST was efficacious in reducing depression and anxiety in comparison to the waiting list control group. This finding could represent lack of power.Trial RegistrationNetherlands Trial Register NTR1322
Highlights
Despite the high prevalence and impact of depression and anxiety in adolescence [1,2], many young people do not seek professional help for emotional problems [3]
Conclusions/Significance: Results show that depressive and anxiety symptoms declined in both groups
The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of preventive Internet-based problem-solving therapy (PST) for adolescents reporting mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety as compared to a waiting list control group
Summary
Despite the high prevalence and impact of depression and anxiety in adolescence [1,2], many young people do not seek professional help for emotional problems [3]. Studies on adolescent Internet-based interventions for depression or anxiety are scarce (see [4,7,8]) and the effectiveness of merely two programs was examined in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [9,10,11]. These concern a five session cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) based intervention program (MoodGYM) in preventing and reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety in an adolescent school-based population, and a six session guided CBT group course (Master Your Mood) for adolescents aged 16 to 25 years with depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of preventive Internet-based (guided) self-help problem-solving therapy (PST) for adolescents reporting mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety as compared to a waiting list control group (WL)
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