Cognitive and behavioral predictors of light therapy use.
OBJECTIVE
Although light therapy is effective in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood disorders, only 53-79% of individuals with SAD meet remission criteria after light therapy. Perhaps more importantly, only 12-41% of individuals with SAD continue to use the treatment even after a previous winter of successful treatment.


METHODS
Participants completed surveys regarding (1) social, cognitive, and behavioral variables used to evaluate treatment adherence for other health-related issues, expectations and credibility of light therapy, (2) a depression symptoms scale, and (3) self-reported light therapy use.


RESULTS
Individuals age 18 or older responded (n = 40), all reporting having been diagnosed with a mood disorder for which light therapy is indicated. Social support and self-efficacy scores were predictive of light therapy use (p's<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that testing social support and self-efficacy in a diagnosed patient population may identify factors related to the decision to use light therapy. Treatments that impact social support and self-efficacy may improve treatment response to light therapy in SAD.
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America. kroeck@pitt.edu
Kathryn A
KA
Roecklein
Julie A
JA
Schumacher
Megan A
MA
Miller
Natalie C
NC
Ernecoff
D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support