Lay-Delivered Behavioral Activation in Senior Centers

Description

In response to large numbers of senior center clients who suffer untreated depression and the dearth of geriatric mental health providers, the investigators have simplified Behavioral Activation to be delivered by lay volunteers ("Do More, Feel Better"; DMFB). The focus of Behavioral Activation is to guide clients to reengage in daily pleasant and rewarding activities, and reduce depressive symptoms. If the investigators can show that the lay delivery model has positive impact in comparison to MSW-delivered Behavioral Activation, the investigators will have identified an effective intervention that can be used by a large untapped workforce of older adult volunteers across the nation.

Conditions

Depression

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

In response to large numbers of senior center clients who suffer untreated depression and the dearth of geriatric mental health providers, the investigators have simplified Behavioral Activation to be delivered by lay volunteers ("Do More, Feel Better"; DMFB). The focus of Behavioral Activation is to guide clients to reengage in daily pleasant and rewarding activities, and reduce depressive symptoms. If the investigators can show that the lay delivery model has positive impact in comparison to MSW-delivered Behavioral Activation, the investigators will have identified an effective intervention that can be used by a large untapped workforce of older adult volunteers across the nation.

Lay-Delivered Behavioral Activation in Senior Centers

Lay-Delivered Behavioral Activation in Senior Centers

Condition
Depression
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Brandon

Brandon Senior Center, Brandon, Florida, United States, 33510

Gibsonton

Gardenville Dining & Activity Center, Gibsonton, Florida, United States, 33534

Ruskin

Ruskin Senior Center, Ruskin, Florida, United States, 33570

Tampa

JL Young Apartments (Senior Housing), Tampa, Florida, United States, 33604

Tampa

Oaks at Riverview Senior Center, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33604

Tampa

Jewish Towers Senior Housing, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33609

Tampa

Town 'n Country Senior Center, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33615

Tampa

Progress Village Senior Center, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33619

Brooklyn

Diana Jones Senior Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11206

New York

Edie Windsor SAGE Center, New York, New York, United States, 10001

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Age ≥ 60 years.
  • 2. Attends one of 18 participating Seattle, NYC, or Tampa area senior centers.
  • 3. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of ≥10 via routine screening.
  • 1. Clinically-assessed HAM-D\>14
  • 2. Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) ≥ 24 OR modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) ≥ 19
  • 3. Off antidepressants or on a stable dose for 12 weeks.
  • 4. Capacity to provide written consent for both research assessment and the BA intervention.
  • 1. Current active suicidal ideation.
  • 2. Presence of psychiatric diagnoses other than unipolar, non-psychotic major depression or generalized anxiety disorder by SCID-V (Structure Clinical Interview for DSM-V).
  • 3. Severe or life-threatening medical illness (e.g., end stage organ failure).
  • 4. Inability to speak English or Spanish
  • 1. Age ≥ 60 years.
  • 2. Attends one of the participating Seattle, NYC, or Tampa-area senior centers.
  • 1. Current major depressive disorder, alcohol or substance abuse, or manic, hypomanic, or psychotic symptoms (SCID-V);
  • 2. Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) ≥ 24 OR modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) ≥ 19;
  • 3. Inability to speak and read English or Spanish
  • 1. Master's degree in social work, counseling, marriage/family, or other clinical mental health degree
  • 2. English or Spanish Speaking
  • 3. Capacity to provide consent for all study procedures
  • 4. Willing to audio record study sessions for supervision and evaluation
  • 1. Non-English or Non-Spanish speaking
  • 2. Does not hold a Master's degree in social work, counseling, marriage/family, or other clinical mental health degree
  • 3. Unable to provide consent
  • 4. Unwilling to audio record study sessions for supervision and evaluation

Ages Eligible for Study

60 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Washington,

Patrick J Raue, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Washington

Study Record Dates

2025-12-01