Innovations in Practice: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in adolescents

BackgroundMindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be effective in preventing relapse of depression in adults, but has not previously been applied to adolescents who have residual symptoms of depression following treatment. MethodAn 8-week MBCT group was adapted for adolescents, and evaluated using qualitative and quantitative measures. ResultsParticipants report high levels of satisfaction with the group intervention. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews provides areas for future development of this intervention. Pilot data indicate reductions in depressive symptoms, alongside positive change in mindfulness skills, quality of life and rumination. ConclusionsPreliminary evidence for the use of MBCT with this group of adolescents is provided. Key Practitioner Message It is known that the course of depression from childhood is characterized by relapse and continuity into adulthood. There is a need to develop interventions that ameliorate the course of this disorder. Mindfulness-based approaches have good evidence in adults in reducing symptoms of depression and in relapse reduction. They have also been seen to be acceptable to children and adolescents, though not yet with a clinically referred group of adolescents with symptoms of depression. A group programme of MBCT for adolescents with symptoms of low mood is presented here. This research demonstrates the feasibility of this approach.