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Cited by 282Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsPsychological Treatments and Assessments

Behavioural activation for depression

Open access
Veale, David·2008·Advances in Psychiatric Treatment
DOI 10.1192/apt.bp.107.004051
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Abstract

A formal therapy for depression, behavioural activation focuses on activity scheduling to encourage patients to approach activities that they are avoiding and on analysing the function of cognitive processes (e.g. rumination) that serve as a form of avoidance. Patients are thus refocused on their goals and valued directions in life. The main advantage of behavioural activation over traditional cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression is that it may be easier to train staff in it and it can be used in both in-patient and out-patient settings. This article describes the theory and rationale of behavioural activation, its evidence base and how to develop a formulation that guides the strategy.

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Crossref · 10.1192/apt.bp.107.004051

Cites

28 of 28 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Aversive conditions tend to motivate negatively by avoidance or escape, and passivity is a likely effect.

    “As aversive conditions tend to motivate negatively by avoidance or escape, passivity is a likely effect (Veale, 2008).”

    From How Study Environments Foster Academic Procrastination: Overview and Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as Veale, 2008

    The Theory and rationale of behavioural activation section links avoidance or escape from aversive thoughts and feelings with inactivity and withdrawal. The paper discusses this pattern in the context of depression; it does not establish that aversive conditions generally make passivity a likely effect. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Behavioural Activation is a short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy based intervention known to be effective in the management of depression and can be delivered by non-mental health trained practitioners.

    “Behavioural Activation (BA) is a short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) based intervention, known to be effective in the management of depression and which can be delivered by non-mental health trained practitioners [34, 35].”

    From Can support workers from AgeUK deliver an intervention to support older people with anxiety and depression? A qualitative evaluation (2019) · cites this paper as [35]

    The Theory and rationale, Structure, and Evidence base sections describe behavioural activation as developing from a component of cognitive therapy, typically lasting 12–24 sessions, and being effective for depression. The Abstract and Why choose behavioural activation? section say staff may be easier to train and discuss low-intensity workers, but do not establish delivery by practitioners without mental-health training; the latter section says therapists need training and supervision. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Less engagement in rewarding activities worsens depressive symptoms.

    “Conversely, decreased involvement in these activities exacerbates depressive symptoms.”

    From CBT-Informed Interventions for Essential Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) · cites this paper as Veale 2008

  • Depressed people often reduce or stop engaging in pleasurable activities and activities that provide pride or mastery.

    “The literature on depression suggests that individuals who are depressed often decrease or cease their involvement in pleasurable activities and activities that give the individual a sense of pride and/or mastery (Veale 2008).”

    From CBT-Informed Interventions for Essential Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) · cites this paper as Veale 2008

  • Values clarification can provide motivation for behavior change, including strategies that improve mood and agency, such as behavioral activation and interpersonal effectiveness.

    “Values clarification can provide the motivation necessary for behavior change, including strategies that can improve mood and agency, such as behavioral activation (Veale 2008) and interpersonal effectiveness (Linehan and Wilks 2015).”

    From CBT-Informed Interventions for Essential Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) · cites this paper as Veale 2008

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Cites

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1 of the 29 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [2]2. Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A. & Warmerdam, L. (2007) Behavioral activation treatments of depression: a metaanalysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 27, 318-326.
  2. [7]7. Gilbert, P. (ed.) (2005) Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research and Use in Psychotherapy. BrunnerRoutledge.
  3. [23]23. Veale, D. (2008) In debate: Layard's proposals for 10 000 more therapists in new psychological treatment centres trades on a naively mechanistic concept of 'mental illness' and would be counterproductive across society. British Journal of Psychiatry, in press.

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Authors
Veale, D.
Affiliations
King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Veale, David
ORCID
Veale, David
Venue
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2008-01
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
29-36
ISSN
  • 1355-5146 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1481
DOI
10.1192/apt.bp.107.004051
OpenAlex
W2126250087
Cited by
282
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 3654 d)
Locations
  • Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords
behavioral activation, depression, activity scheduling, rumination, avoidance, cognitive processes, treatment formulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, employee training

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