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


METHOD
59 college students (M age = 21.8, SD = 2.3; 68% female, 70% White) were randomized to the 6-session Change Ahead group or educational brochure control condition, completing assessments at pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Recruitment and screening methods were effective and intervention attendance was high (86% attended all 6 sessions). Change Ahead participants showed medium-large reductions in depressive symptoms at posttest (M d = 0.64), though the effect attenuated by 3-month follow-up. Incidence of major depression onset at 3-month follow-up was 4% for Change Ahead participants versus 13% (difference ns).


CONCLUSIONS
Change Ahead 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 Change Ahead appears warranted.
['Rohde|Paul|P|', 'Stice|Eric|E|', 'Shaw|Heather|H|', 'Gau|Jeff M|JM|']
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy D003863:Depression D003865:Depressive Disorder, Major D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D010865:Pilot Projects D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief D011615:Psychotherapy, Group D013334:Students D014495:Universities D055815:Young Adult
Cognitive-behavioral Depression Prevention College students Cognitive dissonance