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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Study protocol

Preventing mood and anxiety disorders in youth: a multi-centre RCT in the high risk offspring of depressed and anxious patients

Authors: Maaike H Nauta, Helma Festen, Catrien G Reichart, Willem A Nolen, A Dennis Stant, Claudi LH Bockting, Nic JA van der Wee, Aartjan Beekman, Theo AH Doreleijers, Catharina A Hartman, Peter J de Jong, Sybolt O de Vries

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

Anxiety and mood disorders are highly prevalent and pose a huge burden on patients. Their offspring is at increased risk of developing these disorders as well, indicating a clear need for prevention of psychopathology in this group. Given high comorbidity and non-specificity of intergenerational transmission of disorders, prevention programs should target both anxiety and depression. Further, while the indication for preventive interventions is often elevated symptoms, offspring with other high risk profiles may also benefit from resilience-based prevention programs.

Method/design

The current STERK-study (Screening and Training: Enhancing Resilience in Kids) is a randomized controlled clinical trial combining selected and indicated prevention: it is targeted at both high risk individuals without symptoms and at those with subsyndromal symptoms. Individuals without symptoms meet two of three criteria of the High Risk Index (HRI; female gender, both parents affected, history of a parental suicide (attempt). This index was developed in an earlier study and corresponds with elevated risk in offspring of depressed patients. Children aged 8–17 years (n = 204) with subthreshold symptoms or meeting the criteria on the HRI are randomised to one of two treatment conditions, namely (a) 10 weekly individual child CBT sessions and 2 parent sessions or (b) minimal information. Assessments are held at pre-test, post-test and at 12 and 24 months follow-up. Primary outcome is the time to onset of a mood or anxiety disorder in the offspring. Secondary outcome measures include number of days with depression or anxiety, child and parent symptom levels, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Based on models of aetiology of mood and anxiety disorders as well as mechanisms of change during interventions, we selected potential mediators and moderators of treatment outcome, namely coping, parent–child interaction, self-associations, optimism/pessimism, temperament, and emotion processing.

Discussion

The current intervention trial aims to significantly reduce the risk of intergenerational transmission of mood and anxiety disorders with a short and well targeted intervention that is directed at strengthening the resilience in potentially vulnerable children. We plan to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention and to identify mechanisms of change.

Trial registration

NTR2888

Available only for authorised users

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/12/31/prepub

Title: Preventing mood and anxiety disorders in youth: a multi-centre RCT in the high risk offspring of depressed and anxious patients
Authors: Maaike H Nauta
Helma Festen
Catrien G Reichart
Willem A Nolen
A Dennis Stant
Claudi LH Bockting
Nic JA van der Wee
Aartjan Beekman
Theo AH Doreleijers
Catharina A Hartman
Peter J de Jong
Sybolt O de Vries
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-31

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Preventing mood and anxiety disorders in youth: a multi-centre RCT in the high risk offspring of depressed and anxious patients

Abstract

Background

Method/design

Discussion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method/design

Discussion

Trial registration

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