Project Summary

Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H. (Young Investigator 2004) of University of Chicago, plans to study the effectiveness of a primary care- and internet-based intervention to teach coping skills in adolescents at high risk for depression. In the proposed study, 10 primary care practitioners (PCP) will identify 50 adolescents ages 15 to 21 at risk for depression. Subjects will be randomly assigned to a control group (given an Internet address only) and an intervention group, in which subjects get an internet address and a motivational interview (MI) performed by the PCP. PCPs will conduct two MIs (before and after the internet learning) to help the subjects identify a rationale for developing and implementing a personal depression-prevention plan. On the internet site, participants learn coping skills and mood self-assessment skills to ensure prompt treatment. The study will assess the feasibility of the MI component using measures of PCP performance (knowledge tests, role plays, and recordings of MIs), PCP and subject ratings of the acceptability/feasibility, and subject performance (ratings of motivation, use of website, and exercise completion) and psychological state.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar Depression

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