Emoji-based Attention Bias Modification Training for Depressive Young Adults

Globally, the rates of young adults and college students reporting symptoms of depression have been rising over the past decade. There are major obstacles being faced in mental healthcare that prevents many individuals from receiving sufficient and quality mental healthcare services. Current treatments for depression are not able to target the underlying factors causing the disorder. In addition, individuals with depressive symptoms face issues with accessibility and social stigma. Hence, there has been increasing interest in behavioural and cognitive mental health interventions with the potential for remote applications. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using an emoji-based attention bias modification training paradigm on depressive symptom severity compared with a deep breathing practice protocol, a sham training protocol and a control group. It is expected that participants who undergo the attention bias modification training and deep breathing training paradigms will have reduced depressive symptom scores, changes in attention bias indices, and changes in event-related potential component measures compared to participants who did not undergo the interventions.