Motivational Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression

Atefe Momeni30 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study investigates the effectiveness of Motivational Psychotherapy in reducing symptoms of depression and improving academic self-concept among adolescent girls in Iran. A total of 30 participants aged 13 to 17 were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving Motivational Psychotherapy and a control group receiving no treatment. The intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions based on the principles of motivational interviewing and was tailored to adolescent needs. Outcomes were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ). Results suggest the potential benefit of this culturally sensitive approach in non-Western adolescent populations.

This randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the effectiveness of Motivational Psychotherapy in reducing depressive symptoms and improving academic self-concept among adolescent girls in Iran. A total of 30 participants aged 13-17 years were randomly assigned to either the Motivational Psychotherapy group or a no-intervention control group. The intervention consisted of 8 weekly individual sessions (60 minutes each) based on a manualized Motivational Psychotherapy protocol, adapted for adolescents in a non-Western context. The sessions focused on resolving ambivalence, enhancing intrinsic motivation, and strengthening environmental support. Outcome measures included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) for depressive symptoms and the Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) for academic self-concept. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA to control for baseline differences between groups. The results showed significant improvement in depression scores and academic self-concept in the intervention group compared to the control group, supporting the feasibility and cultural relevance of Motivational Psychotherapy for adolescent mental health.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 13 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion Criteria: * Female adolescents aged 13 to 17 years * Clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate depression based on DSM-5 criteria * Currently enrolled in middle or high school * Informed consent obtained from parents/legal guardians and assent from adolescents Exclusion Criteria: * Severe depression requiring urgent psychiatric care * Diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis) * Ongoing psychotherapy or psychotropic medication use * Significant cognitive or developmental disability interfering with participation Exclusion Criteria: \-

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Depression Score from Baseline to 8 Weeks Post-Intervention

Depression symptoms will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; range 0-63, higher scores indicate worse depression). The mean change in BDI-II scores from baseline to 8 weeks will be analyzed between the Motivational Psychotherapy and control groups.

Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after start of intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Depression Score from Baseline to 8 Weeks Post-Intervention

Depression symptoms will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The primary outcome is the mean change in BDI-II scores from baseline to 8 weeks after the intervention. The comparison will be made between the experimental group (receiving motivational psychotherapy) and the control group.