Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Alyssa H. Kalata

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Testing the Efficacy of a Computerized Behavioral Activation Treatment of Depressive Disorders

Committee:
Dr. C. Richard Spates, Chair
Dr. Scott Gaynor
Dr. Amy E. Naugle
Dr. Gloria Taggett

Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1509 Wood Hall

Abstract:
The present study seeks to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a computerized behavioral activation treatment for depressive disorders (IMM-BA), while also investigating potential mechanisms of action involved in the treatment of depression through the use of behavioral activation. Nine adults who met criteria for either Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymic Disorder were recruited from Kalamazoo, Portage, and surrounding areas in Southwestern Michigan. All participants received ten sessions of IMM-BA treatment. Symptoms of depression and related information were assessed at pretreatment and one-week, one-month, three-month, and six-month follow-up through the use of the Beck Depression Inventory – II (BDI-II), the Revised Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (RHRSD), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID), the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), and the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). It was hypothesized that IMM-BA treatment would lead to significant decreases in symptoms of depression and positive changes in quality of life. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that changes in the patterns and nature of overt behavior of participants would be the primary mechanism by which treatment effects were observed.