contemporary: depression Williams et al Flashcards
what was aim of williams et al
investigate impact of CBM cognitive behavioural modification on depressive symptoms, and whether this intervention improved effectiveness of online CBT. (iCBT)
give procedure points of Williams et al
- 69 pp’s recruited from clinic based in Sydney Australia
- completed online screening questionnaire then diagnostic interview via telephone
- invention group = 38
- control group = 31
- baseline measures take of depressive symptoms for all pp’s using self report BDI (beck’s depression index)
- intervention group completed 7 day course of CBM, as well as iCBT
- control group did not do CBM and went straight into iCBT
results of Williams et al
with CBM, the intervention group had a decrease of 9 points from their BDI score in comparison to a decrease of 3 points in the control group
what does CBM consist of
20 minute daily sessions for one week where patients are given ambiguous scenarios which resolve in positive manner in the hopes that it will condition positive thinking.
strength of williams et al (WLC)
use of control group carrying out same set of questionnaires allows researchers to establish the extent to which changes in depressive symptoms were due to intervention (CBM) and not just the passing of time
what does iCBT consist of
sadness programme including regular homework assigned to patients examining pre-existing negative thoughts in an effort to change them
competing argument for the use of WLC
Williams et al did not collect further data from WLC following their course of iCBT as this would have allowed researchers to determine how much the additional week of CBM contributed to reduction of depressive symptoms. No follow up means it lacks conclusive findings.
weakness of williams et al (self report data)
pp’s may not answer honestly by overestimating their improvements because they are aware they are in a therapy = researcher bias
weakness of williams et al (quantitative data)
tells us nothing about why symptoms have improved so fails to provide more than a superficial understanding of how therapy works
weakness of williams et al (generalisability)
low sample size of 69 and all from sydney australia
strength of williams et al (controls)
standardised procedure e.g.
- intervention all got 7 day CBM
- online screening process
- Beck’s depression index carried out
- all 10 week iCBT course
therefore its highly replicable
application to society
shows depression can be reduced without face-to-face interview with clinician. Online services important for people who have waited years on NHS waiting list who can access live saving support from the comfort of their own homes. Beneficial to society as patients can enjoy life again and work + be with families.
