Volunteering as an Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Adolescents

Volunteering as an Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Adolescents: Investigating Neurobiological Mechanisms

The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism.

The purpose of the present study is to test in a preliminary manner an innovative strategy for treating depression among adolescents (alongside existing therapy) using community volunteerism. In addition, this study will test a potential mechanism by which volunteering might decrease depressive symptoms: increasing psychosocial assets, specifically decreasing self-orientation and increasing an orientation toward others. This will be measured through self-report as well as using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will be the first study to explore how neural response patterns are potentially altered by intense experiences with volunteerism among depressed adolescents.

Participants will be assigned to participate in community service (from a menu of options) for 30 hours.

Participants will be assigned to a meaningful volunteer experience from a menu of local options (e.g., volunteering at an animal shelter or in a library) for 30 hours.

Beck Depression Inventory to measure depressive symptoms. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3. The minimum total score is 0 and the maximum total score is 63. Higher scores denote worse outcome

Default Mode Network Connectivity will be measured using fMRI at rest and while processing emotional pictures before and after volunteering intervention. The strength of connectivity within the DMN will be calculated by averaging attributes for each node in the DMN.

Hope scale (Abler et al., 2017) will be measured on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Items will be averaged; higher scores denote better outcome (more hope).

NIH toolbox measure from 1 (never) to 5 (very often); scores will be averaged and high score indicates more self-efficacy.

5 point scale from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree. Scores will be averaged; higher score denotes more orientation toward others.

IRI (Interpersonal Reactivity Index) subscale to measure empathy on a 5 point scale from 1- strongly disagree to 5 -strongly agree. Scores will be averaged; higher score denotes more empathy.

Measured through the Inventory of Service Experience (Taylor & Pancer, 2007) on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Scores will be averaged for subscales of the measure. Higher score denotes better outcomes (more positive experiences with volunteering).

Inclusion Criteria: age 14-20 new mild to moderate depression diagnosis (single episode) new mild to moderate anxiety diagnosis new adjustment disorder diagnosis have been in treatment for < 8 months right-handed Exclusion Criteria: history of recurrent depressive, anxiety or adjustment disorder episodes have been in treatment > 8 months left-handed expressing suicidal ideation claustrophobia any contraindications for completing an MRI scan

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