Anxiety & Depression Association of America

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

Arm	Description	Assigned 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

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.