Evaluating Behavioral Activation Efficacy in Depressed Spanish-Speaking Latinos

Following a small, open-label pilot study that yielded very promising results of BATD, the current study will consist of a larger, randomized control trial (n=60) that will compare BATD to Supportive Counseling in outcomes of depression, contact with positive reinforcement in the environment, treatment satisfaction, therapeutic alliance, and perceived stigma. In addition, participants' adherence rates to each of the therapies and their maintenance of clinical gains at a 1-month follow-up, will be examined.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Behavioral Activation for Depression Treatment; Behavioral: Supportive Counseling

Detailed Description

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent and widely-impairing across racial and ethnic groups. Higher rates of MDD have been observed among Latinos with limited English-language proficiency relative to the general population. Although MDD is a highly treatable condition, barriers to treatment access and delivery have been implicated in precluding this group from utilizing and receiving mental health services. Fortunately, Latinos tend to endorse positive attitudes toward psychosocial treatments for depression by applying the valued belief of "poner de su parte" or being able to do their part in one's recovery, a concept that is highly consistent with the framework of behavioral treatments for depression.

The Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD), based on reinforcement theory, may be well-equipped to address disparities associated with higher depression prevalence rates and receipt of care among Latinos with limited English-language proficiency. Following a small, open-label pilot study that yielded very promising results of BATD, the current study will consist of a larger, randomized control trial (N = 60) that will compare BATD to Supportive Counseling in outcomes of depression, activity level, and contact with positive reinforcement in the environment.

Initial eligibility will be determined via a telephone screener, which will include questions from the Mood Disorders, Substance Use and Dependence, and Psychotic Disorders modules of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID-IV; First, Spitzer, Gibbon & Williams, 2002).

Inclusion criteria consist of the following: 1) be a minimum of 18 years of age, 2) be of Latino descent, 3) report limited English language proficiency, 4) meet current MDD criteria, 5) have completed the 4th grade or higher either in their country of origin or in the US, 6) not have current substance abuse or dependence, 7) have no Bipolar or Psychotic Disorders, and 9) not be currently receiving psychotherapy, and 10) if currently taking antidepressants, demonstrate pharmacological stability as indicated by 3 or more consecutive months of use. Excluded individuals will be referred to mental health resources within the community.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 46
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • College Park, Maryland, United States, 20742
      • University of Maryland- College Park

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• be a minimum of 18 years of age
• be of Latino descent
• report limited English language proficiency
• meet current MDD criteria
• have completed the 4th grade or higher either in their country of origin or in the US
• not have current substance abuse or dependence
• have no Bipolar or Psychotic Disorders
• not be currently receiving psychotherapy
• if currently taking antidepressants, demonstrate pharmacological stability as indicated by 3 or more consecutive months of use.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression; Behavioral Activation Condition - 10 sessions	Behavioral: Behavioral Activation for Depression Treatment
Active Comparator: Supportive Counseling; Supportive Counseling Condition - 10 sessions	Behavioral: Supportive Counseling

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Beck Depression Inventory- II	Assessed at every session and at the 1-month follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale	Administered at each session and at the 1-month follow-up

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Reward Probability Index	Administered at each session and at the 1-month follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Maryland, College Park

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Collado A, Long KE, MacPherson L, Lejuez CW. The efficacy of a behavioral activation intervention among depressed US Latinos with limited English language proficiency: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2014 Jun 18;15:231. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-231.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 7, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 8, 2013
• First Posted (Estimated): October 9, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 30, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2023
• Last Verified: May 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Treatment; Behavioral; Activation
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Depression
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1F31MH098512-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)