Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Autistic Adolescents
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| Title: | Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Autistic Adolescents |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Michelle Menezes (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2024 28(12):3021-3032. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Behavior Modification, Outcomes of Treatment, Depression (Psychology), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adolescents, Intervention, Program Evaluation, Mental Health, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Anxiety, Interpersonal Competence, Children, Child Behavior |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Childrens Depression Inventory, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scales |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241252470 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Depression is common among autistic youth and is associated with worse quality of life in this group. Despite significant need for high-quality efficacious treatments, there has been very limited research on interventions for depression in autistic youth. This single-arm pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in autistic adolescents without intellectual disability (i.e. Behavioral Activation for Autistic Adolescents, BA-A). BA-A is an individually delivered manualized 12-session treatment that utilizes established BA strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for autistic young people. Of the 18 youth (11-16 years old) who enrolled, 15 completed all 12 treatment sessions, as well as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up assessment visits. Clinician treatment fidelity was quite high. Paired sample t-tests found that depression symptoms decreased pre- to post-BA-A according to multiple informants (i.e. self, caregiver, and independent evaluator), and treatment gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up. Paired sample t-tests also found that caregiver-reported anxiety symptoms and social skills improved pre-treatment to post-treatment. The results, although preliminary, indicate that BA-A may improve depression symptoms in autistic youth without intellectual disability. Furthermore, these promising findings suggest that a randomized controlled trial of BA-A is warranted. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1449942 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Depression is common among autistic youth and is associated with worse quality of life in this group. Despite significant need for high-quality efficacious treatments, there has been very limited research on interventions for depression in autistic youth. This single-arm pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in autistic adolescents without intellectual disability (i.e. Behavioral Activation for Autistic Adolescents, BA-A). BA-A is an individually delivered manualized 12-session treatment that utilizes established BA strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for autistic young people. Of the 18 youth (11-16 years old) who enrolled, 15 completed all 12 treatment sessions, as well as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up assessment visits. Clinician treatment fidelity was quite high. Paired sample t-tests found that depression symptoms decreased pre- to post-BA-A according to multiple informants (i.e. self, caregiver, and independent evaluator), and treatment gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up. Paired sample t-tests also found that caregiver-reported anxiety symptoms and social skills improved pre-treatment to post-treatment. The results, although preliminary, indicate that BA-A may improve depression symptoms in autistic youth without intellectual disability. Furthermore, these promising findings suggest that a randomized controlled trial of BA-A is warranted. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241252470 |
