title: Feasibility assessment of a brief, web-based behavioral activation intervention for adolescents with depressed mood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adolescent depression is a major public health concern. Efficacious interventions exist, but are underutilized. Novel approaches to improving access are therefore a top priority. Web-based approaches offer a viable treatment delivery solution; this approach may reach adolescents who might not otherwise receive formal treatment. Behavioral activation (BA) approaches have had success in treatment of depressive symptoms in youth. The purpose of this article is to: (1) describe the development process of a web-based, behavioral activation intervention for adolescents; (2) summarize the preliminary feasibility data; and (3) discuss the benefits and challenges associated with development and evaluation of adolescent self-help resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study is part of a larger NIMH funded study focusing on the development and evaluation of Bounce Back Now (BBN), an evidence-informed, web resource for disaster-affected adolescents and their families. This study is specifically on the development of the BA component of the mood module of BBN, which was evaluated more extensively than other components. We present data from a formal usability evaluation conducted with 24 adolescents, and preliminary usage data collected from 2,000 disaster affected adolescents recruited from the tornado-affected coordinates in Alabama and Joplin, MO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary data supported the feasibility of this approach: qualitative data with the clinic-based sample revealed favorable reactions to the intervention, and preliminary data from the large ongoing randomized controlled trial have indicated moderate levels of access.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brief, web-based approaches may offer a promising alternative to address access barriers for adolescents with depressed mood.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Tatiana M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: University of Tampa, Florida.
authors.forename: Erica K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park.
authors.forename: Julia W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Felton
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
authors.forename: Kirstin Stauffacher
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gros
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
keywords: adolescents; behavioral activation; depression; web-based intervention