Incorporating Volunteering Into Treatment for Depression Among Adolescents: Developmental and Clinical Considerations

Ballard, Parissa J.; Daniel, Stephanie S.; Anderson, Grace; Nicolotti, Linda; Quinones, Elimarie Caballero; Lee, Min; Koehler, Aubry N.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.642910

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…They suggested that “volunteering can be considered a strategy for successful aging because of its association with health, well-being, and longevity” [ 39 ] (p. 762). Volunteering has also been helpful in the clinical treatment of adolescent depression [ 40 ]. It may be useful to support older adults living with depression (e.g., mild depression) and tackle social isolation among older adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

Pullenayegum

Fuller‐Thomson

2023

IJERPH

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The present study examines various activities of social participation (i.e., church or religious activities; educational or cultural activities; service club or fraternal organization activities; neighbourhood, community, or professional association activities; volunteer or charity work; and recreational activities) as contributing factors to successful aging. Successful aging in this study includes the following: adequate social support, no limitations with respect to Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), no mental illness in the preceding year, no serious cognitive decline or pain that prevents activity, as well as high levels of happiness, and self-reports of good physical health, mental health, and successful aging. Methods: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a large, national, longitudinal study on aging. A secondary analysis of the baseline (i.e., 2011–2015) and Time 2 (i.e., 2015–2018) data of the CLSA was conducted on a sample of 7623 older adults who were defined as “aging successfully” at baseline and were aged 60+ at Time 2. Binary logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the association between engaging in various social participation activities at baseline and aging successfully at Time 2. Results: In a subsample (n = 7623) of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Comprehensive Cohort who were aging successfully at baseline, the prevalence of successful aging at Time 2 was significantly higher among the participants who participated in volunteer or charity work and recreational activities compared to those who were not involved in these activities. After adjusting for 22 potential factors, the results of the binary logistic regression analyses reported that participants who, at baseline, participated in volunteer or charity work and recreational activities had higher age–sex-adjusted odds of achieving successful aging (volunteer or charity work: aOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.33; recreational activities: aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.32). Conclusions: Among six types of social participation activities, people who participated in volunteer or charity work and recreational activities were more likely to achieve successful aging than their counterparts who did not engage in these activities. If these associations are found to be causal, policies and interventions encouraging older adults to participate in volunteer or charity work and recreational activities may support older adults to achieve successful aging in later life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

Pullenayegum

Fuller‐Thomson

2023

IJERPH

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“…Despite potential motivational and logistical challenges [see Ballard et al (2021)] for a discussion, teens who were referred to our study were very interested in participating. Once enrolled, they were able to find meaningful volunteer opportunities and complete their hours (with the exception of disruptions due to COVID-19).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Non-pharmacological interventions, such as those based in positive psychology, are desirable to many people either instead of or in conjunction with medication. Based on theoretical and empirical findings detailing positive associations between volunteering and mental health and well-being (Konrath and Brown, 2013;Piliavin and Siegl, 2015;Creaven et al, 2017;Ballard et al, 2021), we believe that volunteering can help young people develop psychosocial assets and reduce symptoms of affective disorders. Importantly, volunteering fits within existing evidenced-based approaches to treating depressive and/or anxiety disorders [see Ballard et al (2021) for full review] and is conceptually consistent with principles of positive psychology interventions, cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy approaches, including exposure therapy for certain anxiety disorders (Reinecke et al, 1998;Heimberg and Becker, 2002;Butler et al, 2006;David-Ferdon and Kaslow, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

An Exploratory Feasibility Study of Incorporating Volunteering Into Treatment for Adolescent Depression and Anxiety

et al. 2022

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Community volunteering is an under-utilized, at least under-researched, strategy to supplement existing treatment for affective disorders. We present findings from a feasibility study incorporating community volunteering into clinical treatment for depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults. This exploratory pilot study had four aims: to investigate recruitment feasibility; to describe participants’ experiences with volunteering; to explore psychosocial assets by which volunteering might decrease depressive and anxiety symptoms; and to document preliminary changes in mental health outcomes before and after the volunteering intervention. Interviews and surveys were employed with participants (N = 9; ages 14–20, Mage = 16 years old; eight women and one man) newly diagnosed with: mild to moderate depression (single episode), mild to moderate anxiety, or adjustment disorder. Recruitment was feasible overall, successes and challenges are discussed. Experiences with volunteering were very positive. Qualitative findings revealed perceived positive effects of volunteering on mood and well-being such as helping with social anxiety and being a positive distraction. Qualitative findings revealed several psychosocial assets that improved related to volunteering (e.g., sense of purpose/meaning and sense of community). On average, participants reported a 19% decrease in depressive symptoms from the pre-survey (before volunteering) to the post-survey (after volunteering). Although more research is warranted, the implication of this study for practicing psychologists treating adolescents and young adults for mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety is that they may wish to consider incorporating community volunteer activities into treatment. Volunteering was a desirable activity for interested participants in treatment for affective disorders.

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“…153 Providers can help guide adolescents in strengthening their interpersonal connections. Suggestions can include connections through any of the following: physical activity; participation in clubs or activities for leisure; 154 sports teams; 49,155 faith-based youth organizations; 156 4-H camps; 157 social support groups; volunteer activities; 158,159 or other smaller peer interactions. All of these have been shown to improve psychosocial functioning and reduce depressive symptoms in youth.…”

Section: Social Connectednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Back to Basics: Lifestyle Interventions for Adolescent Depression

Benheim¹,

Dalal²,

Holcomb³

et al. 2022

Harv Rev Psychiatry

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Learning objectives: After completing this activity, practitioners will be better able to:• Discuss and better understand the recently adopted screening standards for adolescents with depression and the potential advantages of using "lifestyle medicine" • Set up a process for providing effective interventions for the increased number of patients with adolescent depression • Design or update their toolbox of treatment options for adolescents with depression based on the new literature and increased demand Abstract: Recently adopted quality standards recommend that pediatricians screen adolescents for depression and that they document follow-up plans for those who screen positive. As a result of these new recommendations, pediatricians and other pediatric providers, as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, may face an increasing number of referrals and a growing need for effective interventions for adolescent depression. Given the widely acknowledged scarcity of traditional mental health resources, the current study reviewed the rapidly expanding array of evidence-based, but nontraditional, interventions applicable to outpatient pediatric and mental health care settings. Many of these interventions come from a lifestyle medicine framework. Lifestyle medicine interventions are congruent with the cultures of pediatrics and outpatient psychiatry, and offer additional evidence-based tools for providers managing adolescent depression. These interventions can be implemented individually or within group or community settings, and may be used in conjunction with more common interventions such as psychotherapy or psychotropic medications.

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Incorporating Volunteering Into Treatment for Depression Among Adolescents: Developmental and Clinical Considerations

Cited by 10 publications

References 52 publications

Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

An Exploratory Feasibility Study of Incorporating Volunteering Into Treatment for Adolescent Depression and Anxiety

Back to Basics: Lifestyle Interventions for Adolescent Depression

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