Targeting Cognitive Immunization in Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Major Depressive Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
- at least 18 years old
- sufficient German language knowledge
Exclusion Criteria:
- none
Sites / Locations
- Schoen Klinik Bad Arolsen
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
INFORMATION
SALIENCE
ATTENTION
CONTROL
Participants in this condition receive a manipulation suggesting that the performance test "TEMINT", they previously worked on, has been shown to be highly relevant for daily life and professional success. We anticipated that after receiving this fake information about the TEMINT, it would be difficult for participants to engage in cognitive immunization processes because the validity and utility of the expectation-disconfirming experience is explicitly highlighted.
Participants in this condition are asked to think about how well they performed on this really difficult performance test. We anticipated that this manipulation would enhance expectation change, as the salience of the expectation-disconfirming experience was explicitly increased.
Before working on the performance test, participants in this conditions receive the instruction to attentionally focus on their personal result in the performance test. Further, they are asked to specify what would be personally good result for them. We anticipated that after receiving this instruction, the expectation-disconfirming performance feedback should be salient for the participants, hence making it difficult for them to engage in cognitive immunization strategies.
Participants in this condition receive no further information. Therefore, they are passing through the standard procedure of the previously developed experimental paradigm.