Volunteering as an Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Adolescents

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism. In addition, this study will test a potential mechanism by which volunteering might decrease depressive symptoms: increasing psychosocial assets, specifically decreasing self-orientation and increasing an orientation toward others. This will be measured through self-report as well as using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will be the first study to explore how neural response patterns are potentially altered by intense experiences with volunteerism among depressed adolescents.

Official Title
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Volunteering as an Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Adolescents: Investigating Neurobiological Mechanisms

Conditions
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Depression, Adolescent Behavior, Depressive Symptoms

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Volunteer experience


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age 14-20 new mild to moderate depression diagnosis (single episode) new mild to moderate anxiety diagnosis new adjustment disorder diagnosis have been in treatment for < 8 months right-handed Exclusion Criteria: history of recurrent depressive, anxiety or adjustment disorder episodes have been in treatment > 8 months left-handed expressing suicidal ideation claustrophobia any contraindications for completing an MRI scan

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 14 Years
Maximum Age: 20 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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Adolescent Participants<br>Participants will be assigned to participate in community service (from a menu of options) for 30 hours. | Behavioral: Volunteer experience<br>* Participants will be assigned to a meaningful volunteer experience from a menu of local options (e.g., volunteering at an animal shelter or in a library) for 30 hours.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participant recruitment | Number of participants screened (reported by clinical mental health providers) | 6 months | 
| Participant retention | Number of participants retained in full study | 6 months | 
| Depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory) | Beck Depression Inventory to measure depressive symptoms. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3. The minimum total score is 0 and the maximum total score is 63. Higher scores denote worse outcome | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strength of Connectivity in DMN (Default Mode Network) | Default Mode Network Connectivity will be measured using fMRI at rest and while processing emotional pictures before and after volunteering intervention. The strength of connectivity within the DMN will be calculated by averaging attributes for each node in the DMN. | 6 months | 
| Hope scale (Abler et al., 2017) | Hope scale (Abler et al., 2017) will be measured on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Items will be averaged; higher scores denote better outcome (more hope). | 6 months | 
| Beck Hopelessness Inventory | Beck Hopelessness Inventory will be used (scored from 1-20; higher score denotes worse outcome). | 6 months | 
| Self-efficacy | NIH toolbox measure from 1 (never) to 5 (very often); scores will be averaged and high score indicates more self-efficacy. | 6 months | 
| Orientation Toward Others | 5 point scale from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree. Scores will be averaged; higher score denotes more orientation toward others. | 6 months | 
| Empathy | IRI (Interpersonal Reactivity Index) subscale to measure empathy on a 5 point scale from 1- strongly disagree to 5 -strongly agree. Scores will be averaged; higher score denotes more empathy. | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Adolescents, FMRI, volunteerism