RCT of a Brief Video Intervention Targeting Peer Inclusion to Reduce Depression-related Stigma in Adolescents

NCT06360107 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 76729
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 645
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to test the efficacy of a brief video intervention emphasizing peer inclusion on depression-related stigma and stigma outcomes (e.g., help seeking attitudes, secrecy) among adolescents 14-18. Timely identification and treatment of depression in adolescents is a public health priority. However, most youth with depression do not seek treatment, and stigma has been identified as the primary barrier to help-seeking. Experiments have found brief video-based interventions (BVIs), 1-2 minute videos similar to those viewed by youth on social media platforms, based on the principle of "social contact" with individuals affected by a stigmatized condition, effective in reducing depression-related stigma and increasing help-seeking among adolescents. However, given the extreme time constraints of these videos, optimizing the messaging is paramount. Prior research has indicated that concerns about peer social inclusion are fundamental in shaping stigma among adolescents. In this 3-arm RCT, we will recruit adolescents aged 14-18 using an online crowdsourcing platform, to test the efficacy of a) standard BVI that addresses mental health treatment but does not address concerns about peer inclusion/exclusion, b) novel BVI focused on mental health treatment and peer inclusion, and c) control condition that provides information without social contact.

Conditions

Depression; Adolescent - Emotional Problem; Stigma, Social; Help-Seeking Behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Depression Stigma Scale (modified)

  measures personally held attitudes toward depression; modified to remove element irrelevant to teens

  immediately after viewing video

• Ultra-brief Self-stigma of Help-Seeking

  attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental health problem

  immediately after viewing video

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Adolescent Stigma Scale (modified)

  immediately after viewing video

Study Arms (3)

Peer social-inclusion enhanced social contact brief video

EXPERIMENTAL

Novel brief video (1-2 mins) in which an adolescent talks about feeling depressed, and the impact this has on peer relationships, getting treatment, selectively disclosing mood problems with some friends, and experiencing support from both peers and family which helped facilitate recovery from depression.

Other: brief video

Generic social contact brief video

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Similar to existing brief videos (1-2 mins), an adolescent talks about feeling depressed, and then asking parents for help, and receiving professional treatment. This video does not make any references to peers or social support.

Other: brief video

Control

OTHER

Brief video (1-2 mins) provides information about symptoms of depression and how to seek help with computer-generated voice, to isolate mechanisms of information from identification and emotional engagement.

Other: brief video

Interventions

brief video OTHER

brief video about depression

Control; Generic social contact brief video; Peer social-inclusion enhanced social contact brief video

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Self-identify as English-speaking
• US residents
• years old

You may not qualify if:

• Non English speakers
• Do not reside in the US
• \<14 or greater than or equal to 19 years old

Sponsors & Collaborators

• New York State Psychiatric Institute: lead
• Columbia University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

New York State Psychiatric Institute

New York, New York, 10032, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Amsalem D, Martin A. Reducing depression-related stigma and increasing treatment seeking among adolescents: randomized controlled trial of a brief video intervention. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2022 Feb;63(2):210-217. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13427. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

  PMID: 33821507 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Social Stigma; Help-Seeking Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Doron Amsalem, MD

  Columbia University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 8, 2024
• First Posted: April 11, 2024
• Study Start: December 17, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 14, 2025
• Study Completion: February 14, 2025
• Last Updated: March 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)