Pilot trial of a dissonance-based cognitive-behavioral group depression prevention with college students

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d734228e111">Objective</h5> <p id="P1">Conduct a pilot trial testing whether a new cognitive-behavioral (CB) group prevention program that incorporated cognitive-dissonance change principles was feasible and appeared effective in reducing depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder onset relative to a brochure control condition in college students with elevated depressive symptoms. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d734228e116">Method</h5> <p id="P2">59 college students ( <i>M</i> age = 21.8, <i>SD</i> = 2.3; 68% female, 70% White) were randomized to the 6-session <i>Change Ahead</i> group or educational brochure control condition, completing assessments at pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d734228e130">Results</h5> <p id="P3">Recruitment and screening methods were effective and intervention attendance was high (86% attended all 6 sessions). <i>Change Ahead</i> participants showed medium-large reductions in depressive symptoms at posttest ( <i>M d</i> = .64), though the effect attenuated by 3-month follow-up. Incidence of major depression onset at 3-month follow-up was 4% for <i>Change Ahead</i> participants versus 13% (difference ns). </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d734228e144">Conclusions</h5> <p id="P4"> <i>Change Ahead</i> appears highly feasible and showed positive indications of reduced acute phase depressive symptoms and MDD onset relative to a minimal intervention control in this initial pilot. Given the brevity of the intervention, its apparent feasibility, and the lack of evidence-based depression prevention programs for college students, continued evaluation of <i>Change Ahead</i> appears warranted. </p> </div>