TDNet Discover

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States and especially prevalent among emotionally vulnerable adolescents. While cognitive behavioral therapy has long been recognized as the first line treatment for depression, the unprecedented start of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to difficulty accessing mental health care. The recent development of an alternate short-term self-guided treatment option may prove to be a solution. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore the viability of single session and other brief targeted interventions as an alternative treatment of depression in adolescents, young adults, and underserved populations through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Methods: An evidence-based clinical review was conducted to assess the extent of current literature on brief targeted interventions such as single session intervention. Literature search involved the use of Google Scholar, PubMed, and the South College Digital Library database. Initial search revealed 60 potential studies, and these were narrowed down to 3 viable studies using specified inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as quality analysis protocols. Each researcher independently reviewed all articles to ensure high internal validity and minimal bias. Results: Two randomized controlled trials and one systematic review and meta-analysis were ultimately examined. The combined data showed a clinically significant improvement in primary perceived control and depressive symptoms immediately following intervention with the most significant improvement seen in the clinical, or symptomatic, population. One study demonstrated longevity of improved perceived control and decreased depression across 9 months of follow up, with a p=0.04. Other notable results include a decrease in perception of the negative effect of Covid-19 on quality of life (p<0.001) and decreased negative affectivity with an effect size of g=0.26 (p<0.05) post-single session intervention. Conclusion: Although not a permanent replacement for therapist-led cognitive behavioral therapy, single session and other brief targeted interventions have shown to be effective in lowering depressive symptoms and improving mindfulness in adolescents and young adults with mild to moderate depression. This improvement in turn eases the demand of overwhelmed mental health providers to better prevent poor mental health outcomes in a less expensive and more accessible fashion.