The moderation of an early intervention program for anxiety and depression by specific psychological symptoms.
The current study examined the influence of a number of psychological factors on the effectiveness of an early intervention program targeting anxiety and depression in a non-clinical sample of college students. The early intervention program comprised elements of the cognitive-behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (McCullough, 2000) delivered in a 2-hour computer-based educational program. Participants completed measures of depression, anxiety, and general distress prior to the intervention program and then again 8 weeks later. Additionally, participants were assessed for past major depression, sleep related difficulties, a number of anxiety disorders, and suicide ideation. Moderation of the effectiveness of the early intervention program by these factors depended on the dependent variable of interest, specifically: the effectiveness of the intervention program on symptoms of depression was moderated by insomnia; symptoms of anxiety by past post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and specific phobia as well as sleep problems related to nightmares; and symptoms of general negative affect by social phobia and suicide ideation. Implications are discussed.
Cukrowicz
Kelly C
KC
Department of Psychology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2051, USA. Kelly.Cukrowicz@ttu.edu
Smith
Phillip N
PN
Hohmeister
Holly C
HC
Joiner
Thomas E
TE
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016730:Program Development; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult