Prevention of Anhedonia in Children

Launched by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · Aug 3, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping children who may be at risk for experiencing a lack of pleasure in life, known as anhedonia, particularly those whose mothers have struggled with depression. The study is testing a program that encourages positive emotions to see if it can improve children's responsiveness to rewards, which is how they feel about enjoyable activities. The trial is currently looking for participants, specifically biological mothers who have a history of depression with anhedonia and their children ages 8 to 12.

To be eligible, mothers must have had depression and their children should not have a history of major depressive disorder or anhedonia. Both the mother and child need to be fluent in English and have access to a computer or tablet with internet for virtual sessions. Participants can expect to engage in activities designed to boost positive emotions and help improve their overall well-being. This is a great opportunity for families to be part of a study that could lead to better support for children facing challenges related to their mother's mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Biological mothers with past or current MDD with anhedonia and their 8- to 12-year-old children
• • Child and biological mother can read and speak fluently in English
• • Child and mother have access to a computer or tablet and internet for videoconferencing
• • For compensation purposes, child and biological mothers must be U.S. citizens
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children with past or current major depressive disorder (MDD) and/or anhedonia lasting most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks based on semi-structured interviews will be excluded
• • Mothers or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• • Mothers with past 6 months substance use disorder with moderate or greater severity
• • Children or mothers with a lifetime history of a manic or hypomanic episode/bipolar disorder
• • Children or mothers with a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
• • Children or mothers with visual or hearing impairments that interfere with completing study measures and sessions
• • Child offspring of a mother who has previously participated in the study with another biological child
• • Children taking medications for emotional or behavioral problems other than SSRIs (stable dose for 6 weeks before time of enrollment) or psychostimulants