Symposia
Technology
Julia García-Escalera, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)
MADRID, Madrid, Spain
Victoria Espinosa, M.S.
PhD student
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Sandra Arnaez, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Paloma Chorot, Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Psychology
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
MADRID, Madrid, Spain
Rosa M. Valiente, Ph.D.
Full University Professor
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Julia C. Schmitt, M.S.
PhD student
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Jill Ehrenreich-May, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Miami
Miami, Florida
Bonifacio Sandín, Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Psychology
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
MADRID, Madrid, Spain
Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders in adolescence have a great impact and confer a high risk of psychopathology in adulthood. Currently, they constitute a field of special relevance due to the psychological impact produced by COVID-19. Recently, our group developed a web-based version (iUP-A) of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A; Ehrenreich-May et al., 2018). This open trial aimed to test the efficacy of the iUP-A in a sample of adolescents diagnosed with anxiety and/or depressive disorders.
Methods: Adolescents were referred to the researchers by school counselors who had detected potential emotional vulnerabilities. A total of 28 adolescents (78.6% females, 27 White (1 Hispanic), Mage = 15.17, SDage = 1.87) met the inclusion criteria. Several self-report questionnaires, as well as a structured clinical interview, were administered before and after treatment. The intervention was carried out online via a web platform (AMTE) that includes content regarding the same 8 modules as the original UP-A, as well as practical exercises and weekly home learning assignments. The families also received a weekly 30-minute telephone call from a therapist. Four adolescents dropped out before completing the post-treatment assessment.
Results: Paired-samples t-test (n = 24) revealed statistically significant decreases from pre- to post-intervention in depressive symptoms (CDN: t= 3.22; p = .015), anxiety and depression symptoms (RCADS-30total score: t = 2.24; p = .022), major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms (RCADS-30MDD subscale: t = 2.64; p = .015) and panic disorder (PD) symptoms (RCADS-30 PD subscale: t = 2.59 p = .016). Additionally, based on the clinical interviews conducted after the intervention, we found a significant reduction in the number of diagnoses per participant (t = 5.4; p < .001) and significantly lower clinical severity (CSR; t = 6.15; p < .001).
Conclusion: Results suggest that the iUP-A is potentially effective for the treatment of adolescents diagnosed with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Future studies using larger sample sizes and control conditions are warranted.