RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06273137

Positive Affect Treatment for Adolescents with Early Life Adversity

Mitigating Depression Among Adversity Exposed Adolescents Using Positive Affect Therapy

Sponsor

University of California, Irvine

Enrollment

300 participants

Start Date

Feb 3, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression

Summary

Youth exposed to early life adversity (ELA) are known to be at greater risk for depression and suicidality and account for almost half of the youth suffering from psychiatric diseases today. Youth exposed to ELA consistently report symptoms of anhedonia as well as dysregulated positive affect. The present project will test the efficacy of PAT in a sample of ELA-exposed adolescents in order to determine whether PAT increases positive affect, and subsequently symptoms of depression. For the initial pilot phase of the investigation, the investigators will recruit up to 30 adolescents exposed to two or more childhood adversities (ACEs) who do not currently have major depressive disorder, and randomize them (1:1) to either participate in PAT or a waitlist control condition. For the second phase of the investigation, the investigators will recruit up to 300 adolescents exposed to two or more childhood adversities (ACEs) who do not currently have major depressive disorder, and randomize them (1:1) to either participate in PAT or supportive psychotherapy. For both phases, at study enrollment, then 4-, 8, and 12-months thereafter the investigators will measure positive affect and depressive symptoms (including anhedonia and reward sensitivity). The results of this study will be used to inform whether PAT has the potential to prevent major depressive episodes among adversity-exposed youth.

Eligibility

Min Age: 12 YearsMax Age: 16 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

aged 12-16
exposed to 2 or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Exclusion Criteria5

currently taking an antidepressant or any medications known to influence immune functioning on a daily basis (e.g., steroidal medications to treat asthma or allergies)
current or past history of manic or psychotic symptoms
parent-reported diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder
chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis),
bleeding disorders such as hemophilia

Interventions

BEHAVIORALPositive affect treatment

PAT includes 15 weekly, 1-hour sessions. The treatment is composed of three modules targeting behaviors (Sessions 1-7), cognitions (Sessions 8 -10), and compassion (Sessions 11-14), with skills being reinforced in a cumulative manner in subsequent sessions. The final session in the original treatment (Session 15) addressed relapse prevention, which will be adapted to focus on further reinforcing and generalizing learned skills. The treatment includes guided activities that target different aspects of positive affectivity such as reward approach-motivation, reward learning, and reward attainment.

BEHAVIORALSupportive psychotherapy (SUP)

Supportive psychotherapy provides a time, attention, and social support control that is similar to a placebo but likely to be perceived as relevant to this population.