Adolescent Mood During Puberty and Testosterone

Purpose

Starting at puberty, female adolescents are nearly three-times more likely to develop internalizing disorders, like depression, while male adolescents are two-times more likely to develop externalizing disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This divergence between the sexes during puberty suggests sex-specific pathways of risk and differential effects of sex hormones. The purpose of this research is to determine: 1) sex-specific neural and endocrine features of the pubertal transition that may mediate sex differences in adolescent mood disorders, and 2) the neurophysiological basis of susceptibility to hormone change during puberty.

Condition

  • Adolescent Depression

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 11 Years and 14 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Between the ages of 11 and 14 - Have their own personal mobile device and capability to download the MyCap and Healthy Minds apps - Experienced a stressful life event within the last year, or endorse moderate depression (defined by a CES-DC score 16 or higher)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Previous experience with the Healthy Minds Program - Regular meditation practice - Current or history of manic episodes, psychotic symptoms, or current suicidal intent - Taking any form of exogenous hormones or intrauterine device (IUD) within one month of participation in the study - Taking medications that directly alter cardiovascular or neurological function

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Healthy Minds Program 		Participants in this group will begin the Healthy Minds Program immediately following the 4-week baseline period.
  • Behavioral: Healthy Minds Program
    The Healthy Minds Program is a 4-week mobile program to improve coping and emotion regulation skills. It includes 4 training modules corresponding to key pillars of wellbeing: awareness(focused attention/awareness of thoughts/emotions), connection (empathy, compassion, social connection), insight (clarity of identify/experience) and purpose (applying values/motivations). The Healthy Minds Program includes 2 introductory audio lessons and guided meditations, and each 1-week module includes 2 podcast lessons (5-7 minutes) with psychoeducation and practical examples, and 3 guided meditations relevant to the module topic, for a total of 10 lessons and 14 guided meditations.
Other
Waitlist Control 		After the 4-week baseline period, participants in the waitlist control condition will wait an additional 4 weeks before starting the Healthy Minds Program.
  • Behavioral: Healthy Minds Program
    The Healthy Minds Program is a 4-week mobile program to improve coping and emotion regulation skills. It includes 4 training modules corresponding to key pillars of wellbeing: awareness(focused attention/awareness of thoughts/emotions), connection (empathy, compassion, social connection), insight (clarity of identify/experience) and purpose (applying values/motivations). The Healthy Minds Program includes 2 introductory audio lessons and guided meditations, and each 1-week module includes 2 podcast lessons (5-7 minutes) with psychoeducation and practical examples, and 3 guided meditations relevant to the module topic, for a total of 10 lessons and 14 guided meditations.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Study Contact

Kayla Jensen, BS
919-445-6815
nerdlab@unc.edu

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