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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Internet-Based Intervention for Secondary and Tertiary Prevention of Depressive Symptoms

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description

Depression is one of the most disabling psychological disorders worldwide. A very important challenge today consists on addressing the issue of depression from a preventive perspective. A growing body of research supports the efficacy of Internet-based treatments. We have developed an Internet-based program (Smiling is Fun) with the objective of helping people in prevention of depression and anxiety symptoms. It is based on classical cognitive behavioral techniques, such as behavioural activation, and also includes other positive psychological strategies to improve coping ability and positive mood. We applied this intervention program in people who had to cope at least with one stressor in their life producing interference (secondary prevention) and also in people who had to cope at least a stressor and met the diagnosis of an emotional disorder (ED) (tertiary prevention). All participants had minimal to moderate depressive symptoms. The principal objective of the present work is to present the data about the efficacy of this Internet-based intervention as a secondary and tertiary prevention tool comparing both groups.