Internet-delivered Psychotherapy for Depression (PsiTOD)

Internet-delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial (PsiTOD)

Project aim: To compare the effectiveness and acceptability of a conventional and a religious internet-supported cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) for depression in Romania.

Previous studies suggest that incorporating religious beliefs into conventional CBT appears to be helpful for religious individuals. In order to have two active comparable interventions the investigators added to the conventional CBT a similar set of exercises devised from the positive psychology paradigm.

This arm represents the classical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach for major depression disorder (MDD) plus a set of exercises devised from the mindfulness paradigm.

This arm represents the classical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach for major depression disorder (MDD) plus a set of exercises devised from the general Christian belief.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents a psychotherapeutic approach that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. The underlying concept behind CBT is that thoughts and feelings play a fundamental role in behavior. Beyond the conventional CBT techniques proven effective for MDD, the Positive CBT intervention includes set of exercises devised from the positive psychology paradigm. Similarly, the Christian CBT intervention includes a comparable set of exercises rooted on the general Christian belief.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was designed to measure participant's level of depression. The scale is unidimensional and the total score rages from 0 to 63. Low scores are associated with low levels of depression, while high scores are associated with high levels of depression. This represents the post-intervention assessment.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was designed to measure participant's level of depression. The scale is unidimensional and the total score rages from 0 to 63. Low scores are associated with low levels of depression, while high scores are associated with high levels of depression. This represents the measure of depression at 6 month after the intervention.

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was designed to measure participant's level of anxiety. The scale is unidimensional and the total score rages from 0 to 63. Low scores are associated with low levels of anxiety, while high scores are associated with high levels of anxiety. This represent the post-intervention assessment.

The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) is an established rating scale of self-perceived quality of life across 16 domains. The scale is unidimensional and the total score rages from -6 to +6. Low scores are associated with low self-perceived life quality, while high scores are associated with high self-perceived life quality. This represents the post-intervention assessment.

The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self Report (QIDS-SR) was designed to measure participant's level of depression. The scale is unidimensional and the total score rages from 0 to 27. Low scores are associated with low levels of depression, while high scores are associated with high levels of depression. This represents a secondary outcome measure for depression taken immediately after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: be fluent in Romanian be over 18 years have a diagnosis of current major depression disorder have access to an Internet connected computer Exclusion Criteria: suicidal ideation ongoing psychological treatment for depression other primary disorder that need treatment obstacle to participation (i.e., long travel plans) recent change in psychiatric medication (i.e., during the last 6 weeks)