Melinda Brockie

HSP 385
Analysis of a Research Article
February 5, 2015

Ackerson, J., Scogin, F., McKendree-Smith, N., & Lyman, R. (1998). Cognitive Bibliotherapy
for Mild and Moderate Adolescent Depressive Symptomatology. Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 685-690.
Abstract
The article reports the efficacy of cognitive bibliotherapy for youth/teens experiencing mild and
moderate depression symptoms by examining a group of 22 adolescents. Treatment comprised of
reading Feel Good, a self help book similar to cognitive therapy for depression. The
adolescents also received weekly calls from researchers; from these treatments, clinically and
statistically evidenced gains that had a resilience of 2 years.
Introduction
The reason to explore alternative treatment methods of depressive symptoms was the underuse of
MH services in adults. Researchers wanted to test effectiveness if early childhood treatment
would decrease the depressive symptoms spanning an adolescents lifetime. The researchers
hypothesized that as each compliance, participation, and comprehension increased the benefits
would also increase. Cognitive theory of depression and dysfunctional thinking was also tested
and measured.

Method
The study had 30 participants in 7th-12th grade who were recruited through mental health and
social service programs, local schools hospitals, and media announcements. Criteria for inclusion
were scores of 10 or higher on the CDI, 10 or higher on the HRSD, and living with a parent
willing to participate and approve the treatment process of their kids. Exclusionary
measurements: reading levels below a 6th grade level measured by the PIAT, psychotic or suicidal
ideations, or attending psychotherapy. 22 of 30 completed the study. Sample: 8 boys and 14 girls.
Participants: Caucasian (n=15), African American (n=6) and mixed race (n=2).
Questionnaires/tests used: CDI, HRSD, CBCL, ATQ, DAS and lastly the CBT.
Results
Compliance was measured by participants reporting the number of pages read and participation
was tested by the amount of work done in their work books. Tests were done to determine the
cognitive relation to depression. Tests were done by two clinicians with Masters Degrees in
psychology. Once participation eligibility was met they were assigned at random to one of two
groups: immediate treatment or delayed treatment. Assessments were done 3 times in each
group. Immediate treatment: pretreatment, postreatment, 1 month follow up. Delayed treatment:
before waiting period, approx. 1 month later before treatment, and after treatment. Participants
had 4 weeks to finish treatment. During this time weekly phone calls were made to collect the
above information only no counseling was ever offered in the short phone calls to check
progress.

Discussion
Study results suggest that CBT may be effective treatment for youth experiencing depressive
symptoms. This study adds to the small, growing group of literature about the effectiveness of
these types of interventions. Adolescent depression is on the rise and the research for other
alternative treatments is important for giving youth a quality if life and along with the long term
preventative measures and tools they learn to cope with depression if it is reoccuring. This study
failed to find clinical change, statistically evidence showed decrease in depressive symptoms.
Limitations
Limitations: study cannot be generalized for populations from the samples in the study, or the
participants with lower reading levels, and should not be generalized to people with depression
symptoms or dysthymia.
Conclusion
Researchers mentioned continued attempts to gather better data with regards to identifying
variable functions differently with youth then adults. Researchers also had recommendations to
improve and further study with longer and more frequent testing periods, to better measure
change over time for the outcome.