Positivity-approach training for depressive symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

Becker, Eni S.; Barth, Anja; Smits, Jasper A.J.; Beisel, Sylvia; Lindenmeyer, Johannes; Rinck, Mike

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.042

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The current study's focus on enhancing positive cognitions is in line with other recent intervention approaches that focus on positive dimensions, such as positivity-approach training for depressive symptoms (Becker et al, 2019) and Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) for depression and anxiety (Craske, Meuret, Ritz, Treanor, & Dour, 2016). If, as suggested by Thurston et al (2017), enhancement of positive self-thoughts would bring about behavioural engagement, activating the approach system (Kashdan et al, 2011) this could yield further benefits such as a reinforcement of positive responses in a young person's daily life and, in turn decreases social anxiety symptoms (Thurston et al, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 57%

“…There is growing evidence that intervention techniques might benefit from a stronger focus on enhancing positive affect and cognitions not only in the social anxiety (Asbrand et al, 2019;Goldin et al, 2013;Thurston et al, 2017) but also in the depression literature (e.g., Becker et al, 2019). Increasing positive self-thoughts are said to go a step further than only reducing negative self-thoughts, as such a reduction does not bring about a motivation to act and interact with the social world (Thurston et al, 2017).…”

Section: Positive Self-relevant Cognitive Processes and Positive Peer Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Investigation Into the Influence of Positive Peer Feedback on Self-Relevant Cognitions in Social Anxiety

Miers

2021

Behav. change

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This study investigated whether positive feedback from same-age peers can modify self-relevant cognitive processes of high socially anxious youth in a positive direction. Thirty-three high socially anxious and 32 non-socially anxious undergraduate students (17–22 years) gave an impromptu speech and received either positive or neutral feedback post-speech. Anticipatory processing (AP) was rated prior to the speech via self-report. One week later participants returned to the laboratory and completed questionnaires assessing post-event processing (PEP) thoughts related to the impromptu speech and AP about a future speech. For high socially anxious youth receiving positive feedback, AP about their speech performance significantly improved over time. In addition, high socially anxious participants who received positive feedback reported a higher frequency of positive PEP thoughts about their speech in the intervening week. These improvements did not occur in the neutral peer feedback condition. Non-socially anxious participants’ AP improved in both feedback conditions, whereas their frequency of PEP was unaffected by feedback. These findings suggest that, in high socially anxious youth, positive feedback from same-age peers can modify self-relevant cognitive processes in a positive direction. We discuss how methodological improvements could more thoroughly investigate the potential of positive peer feedback for changing cognitions.

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confidence: 57%

Section: Positive Self-relevant Cognitive Processes and Positive Peer Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Investigation Into the Influence of Positive Peer Feedback on Self-Relevant Cognitions in Social Anxiety

Miers

2021

Behav. change

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“…Vor der ersten und nach der vierten Trainingssitzung wurden die Patienten mithilfe der deutschen Version der Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD; Hamilton 1960) durch einen ansonsten nicht an der Studie teilnehmenden Arzt (Mitarbeiter des klinischen Personals) beurteilt. Außerdem wurde das Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II; Beck et al 1996) durch die Patienten selbst ausge-füllt. Hierdurch konnten Veränderungen in klinischer Symptomatik sowohl aus Sicht des Klinikers als auch des Patienten dokumentiert werden (.…”

Section: Messung Der Klinischen Effektivitätunclassified

„Cognitive bias modification“ als mögliche Add-on-Therapie bei Depression

2019

Self Cite

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“…Participants completed four training sessions twice weekly, and the approach‐positive AAT group was found to have a larger decrease in depressive symptoms than the control‐AAT group; however, groups did not differ on change in implicit positivity bias. Another study found that inpatients experiencing moderate‐to‐severe depression who were assigned to four sessions of positivity‐approach AAT plus TAU (i.e., intensive psychosocial treatment) experienced a larger reduction in depression symptoms compared with participants who were assigned to four sessions of sham AAT (Becker et al, 2019; however, groups did not differ in treatment response at milder levels of baseline depression severity). Some studies have failed to find effects of AAT on implicit approach biases in some populations (e.g., hair‐pulling disorder; Maas, Keijsers, Rinck, & Becker, 2018; obesity; Ferentzi et al, 2018; at‐risk college students; Lindgren et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have failed to find effects of AAT on implicit approach biases in some populations (e.g., hair‐pulling disorder; Maas, Keijsers, Rinck, & Becker, 2018; obesity; Ferentzi et al, 2018; at‐risk college students; Lindgren et al, 2015). Nevertheless, evidence suggests that targeting implicit approach action tendencies using AAT may help to alleviate depression symptoms, at least for some individuals (Becker et al, 2019; Vrijsen et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computer‐delivered behavioural activation and approach‐avoidance training in major depression: Proof of concept and initial outcomes

Sweet

Pearlstein

Paulus

et al. 2021

British J Clinic Psychol

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Objectives Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have problems with engaging in approach behaviour to potentially rewarding encounters, which contributes to the maintenance of depressive symptoms. Approach‐avoidance training (AAT) retrains implicit approach tendencies, and behavioural activation (BA) promotes explicit approach behaviour in MDD. As a novel MDD treatment strategy, this study aimed to implement a brief, computerized version of BA integrated with implicit AAT. Design Adults with a principal diagnosis of MDD (N = 25) were randomly assigned to complete one of two versions of AAT – approach‐positive faces (n = 12) or balanced approach of positive and neutral faces (n = 13) – concurrently with self‐guided BA twice weekly for 2 weeks. Methods Outcomes included treatment completion rates; bias scores for automatic approach towards positive social cues; and symptom scales for depression, positive affect, social relationship functioning, anhedonia, and anxiety. Results Feasibility and acceptability of computerized BA + AAT were supported by moderate pre‐treatment credibility and expectancy ratings and 80% treatment completion. Participants across both conditions displayed significant and large sized reductions in depression from pre‐ to post‐assessment (Cohen’s d = −1.23) that maintained three months later, as well as decreased anxiety and anhedonia and increased positive affect and social relationship functioning (medium to large effects). Conclusion Results support the feasibility and potential efficacy of brief, computerized BA + AAT. Research is needed to determine whether AAT is additive to BA, and what AAT parameters best enhance treatment outcomes. Practitioner Points Brief, computerized behavioral activation plus approach/avoidance training (BA + AAT) may be acceptable and beneficial for some patients with moderate‐to‐severe major depression. Computer‐delivered BA + AAT can be implemented as a largely self‐guided program for MDD and could be administered remotely and/or with minimal clinician interaction. As this was a small proof of concept study, it cannot be determined which treatment components – AAT, BA, or both – contributed to positive clinical outcomes. Because BA + AAT was implemented in a research clinic, it remains unknown what treatment engagement and response would look like in community settings.

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Positivity-approach training for depressive symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

Cited by 22 publications

References 51 publications

An Investigation Into the Influence of Positive Peer Feedback on Self-Relevant Cognitions in Social Anxiety

An Investigation Into the Influence of Positive Peer Feedback on Self-Relevant Cognitions in Social Anxiety

„Cognitive bias modification“ als mögliche Add-on-Therapie bei Depression

Computer‐delivered behavioural activation and approach‐avoidance training in major depression: Proof of concept and initial outcomes

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