title: Interpretation Bias Training in Depressed Adolescents: Near- and Far-Transfer Effects.
abstract: Depressed adolescents are characterized by negative interpretation biases. Although investigators have used cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) to experimentally manipulate interpretation biases in depressed adults, the near- and far-transfer effects are not well understood in adolescents diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In this study, we extend previous research by investigating the near- and far-transfer effects of 6 sessions of Positive versus Neutral CBM-I on independent measures of interpretation bias (near-transfer effects) and on attention biases and clinical symptoms (far-transfer effects) in a sample of adolescents with MDD (n = 46). At post-training, adolescents who received Positive CBM-I interpreted ambiguous scenarios more positively than did participants who received Neutral CBM-I, providing evidence of training effectiveness. There was no evidence, however, of near- or far-transfer effects. These findings raise concerns about the malleability of interpretation biases in adolescent depression and suggest that further work is needed to establish the clinical utility of CBM-I for adolescents with MDD.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. jlemoult@psych.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Joelle
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0931-2855
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LeMoult
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Bldg. 420, Jordan Hall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Colich
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Box 208205, New Haven, CT, 06520-8205, USA.
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joormann
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Bldg. 420, Jordan Hall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Manpreet K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, Room 3210, Tolman Hall #1650, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1650, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eggleston
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Bldg. 420, Jordan Hall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Gotlib
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000070379:Attentional Bias / Q000502:physiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014163:Transfer, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Adolescents; Cognitive bias modification; Depression; Interpretation