Predicting Transdiagnostic Symptom Change Across Diverse Demographic Groups in Single-Session Interventions for Adolescent Depression

Abstract

Youths with marginalized identities experience minority stress, a construct linked to more severe transdiagnostic psychopathology. Financial, geographical, and temporal barriers limit access to psychological care for these individuals. Single-session interventions (SSIs), which mitigate many such barriers, are likely more accessible than traditional therapies. However, accessibility does not guarantee effectiveness across identity groups. In a preregistered study ( N = 2,452), we assessed whether demographic identities moderated the relationship between SSI condition and transdiagnostic internalizing (emotional distress) change from before SSI to after SSI in a national U.S. sample of adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms. SSI-driven internalizing-symptom reductions were equivalent between youths with myriad marginalized identities (e.g., Black, asexual, gender minority) and their counterparts (e.g., non-Hispanic White, heterosexual, cisgender) and across age and subjective school social status. We discuss implications of the results for SSI dissemination.

Population mental health science: Guiding principles and initial agenda.

“…Interventions adapted for racial minority populations can reduce substance use, depression, anxiety, and traumatic symptoms (Ellis et al, 2022). Even some non-community-tailored digital interventions might benefit marginalized youths as much as nonmarginalized youths (McDanal et al, 2024).…”