Ongoing sleep disturbances have been connected with more severe depression
(McGlinchey & Portillo, 2016), such that intensity of depressive symptoms
is associated with individuals experiencing worse sleep quality. This study
examined the relationship between participant sleep quality at baseline, as
measured by total score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and
change in depression symptoms after participants completed a six-week,
internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) program. Data from 19
UCLA undergraduate and graduate students who were diagnosed with mild to
moderate depression and completed the iCBT program were examined. A
repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant decrease in depression
severity after the iCBT program [F(1,17)=7.30, p.05). Additionally, there
were no observed differences in sleep quality or treatment outcomes across
genders or student status. Future studies may examine the efficacy of a
new, targeted component of iCBT to improve sleep quality and potential
benefits on reducing depression.
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*Kaitlyn Pham*
Certified STAND Peer | RPN Intern
Research Assistant | Depression Grand Challenge | Child First Lab
UCLA Class of 2021. Psychology Major. Cognitive Science Minor.