Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT Intervention for Adolescents' Internalizing Problems

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of change of an Internet-delivered transdiagnostic REBT intervention for adolescents with internalizing problems.

Detailed Description
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The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of change of an Internet-delivered Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy for adolescents (12-15 years) diagnosed with a principal anxiety or depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups: experimental (REBTonAd) and waitlist control. The intervention is structured in 8 modules and will be delivered over six weeks. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: baseline, post-treatment, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up.

Official Title
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The Efficacy and Mechanisms of Change of a Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT Intervention for Adolescents With Internalizing Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Panic Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 12 and 15 years A principal diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Major Depressive Disorder as defined by DSM-5 (APA, 2013) Not currently following another treatment (psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment); Internet access Ability to read and write Romanian Exclusion Criteria: Suicidal ideation Severe depression Any physical and mental health acute problem that requires hospitalization Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder or mental disability

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 15 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT<br>Protocol is based on Rational Emotive Therapy (Ellis, 1962, 1994), structured in 8 modules delivered over 6 weeks (Module 1- Introduction and psychoeducation about emotions, Module 2 - Psychoeducation anxiety and depression, Module 3 - Relaxation, Module 4 - Negative patterns of thinking and cognitive restructuring, Module 5 - Problem solving, Module 6 - Exposure and Behavioral activation, Module 7 - Positive emotions and Module 8 - Gaining maintenance) | Behavioral: Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered REBT<br>* The protocol is based on Rational Emotive and Behavioral Therapy (REBT; Ellis, 1962, 1994). The program will consist of 8 modules, delivered online over six weeks.<br>|
| No Intervention: Waitlist<br>Participants in the control group will complete pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments. After participants in the experimental group complete post-treatment assessment, they will receive the intervention. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Internalizing problems measured with the Youth Self-Report 11/18 (YSR; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) | Change in self-reported internalizing problems from baseline to post-treatment, at 6 months post treatment. Higher scores indicate higher levels of internalizing problems. | Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Automatic Thoughts QuestionnaireShort Version (ATQ-SV; Netemeyer et al., 2002) | Change in negative automatic thoughts from baseline. Higher scores indicating higher levels of negative automatic thoughts. | Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up | 
| The child and adolescent scale of irrationality (CASI; Bernard & Cronan, 1999) | Change in irrational beliefs from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of irrational beliefs. | Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up | 
| The Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents, The Revised Version - adolescent version (Kiddo-KINDL; Ravens-Sieberer, & Bullinger, 1998) | Change in quality of life from baseline from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of quality of life. | Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up | 
| The Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI; Parada, 2000) | Change in bullying victimization from baseline. Higher scores indicate higher levels of peer victimization. | Baseline, Immediately after the intervention (an expected average of 6 weeks), 6-month follow-up | 
| Principal diagnosis based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria | Diagnostic interview for anxiety disorders and/or depressive disorders | Baseline, 6-month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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transdiagnostic, anxiety, depression, REBT, adolescents, Internet intervention