The Effectiveness And Latent Psychological Mechanism Of Behavioral Activation For Depression

Objective:Behavioral activation(BA)is a psychological treatment based on behavioral theory that alleviates depression by focusing directly on changing behavior.The significance of the BA approach is that it may be simpler to deliver and thus represent a more parsimonious treatment option.This study aims to:(1)Revise the Chinese vision of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form(BADS-SF);(2)Verify whether Behavioral Activation can be applied to college students with depressive symptoms;and(3)explore the role of reinforcement sensitivity and coping styles in Behavioral activation.Method:The first study is to revise the Chinese version of BADS-SF.613 college students were surveyed using Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form,Beck Depression Inventory-? and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire.The psychometric properties of BADS-SF was tested.Study 2 using Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Scale as measurement to conduct a preliminary survey of college students.77 students completed the questionnaire,44 students of them participated in BA treatment and were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group.The intervention group had BA intervention once a week for 90 minutes each for a total of four weeks while the control group did not have any intervention.The independent sample T test and paired sample T test were used to analyze the effect of BA intervention on individual behavioral activation level,depression level,coping style and reinforcement sensitivity.Correlation analysis and regression analysis of all 77 questionnaire data were conducted to explore the mediation and moderating effects of coping style and reinforcement sensitivity in behavioral activation affecting depression.Result:Result showed that Chinese version of BADS-SF is of good reliability and validity.BA intervention effectively increased the activation level of the individual,but had no significant effect on the level of avoidance.BA intervention has a significant effect on relieving depression.Also,BA can increase the individual's positive coping style and reduce negative coping styles.However,there was no significant change in reinforcement sensitivity.Positive Coping style is a mediating variable in BA intervention.The mediating effect is-0.07,accounting for 10.5%of the total effect.Drive is a moderator in the path of behavioral activation-a positive coping style-depression.The higher the drive level,the greater the mediating effect of positive coping.Fun Seeking is a moderator in the path of behavioral activation-depression.The higher the individual's Fun seeking score,the greater the influence of behavioral activation on depression.Conclusion:In consequence,the Chinese version of BADS-SF can be used in assessment of activation and avoidance level in China.BA intervention has a significant effect on relieving depression.Coping style and reinforcement plays important role in BA.Specifically,Positive Coping is a mediating variables in BA,and Fun Seeking and Drive are moderators in BA intervention.The current study of BA may contribute to understand the process of BA treatment and the dissemination of BA in China.