Values in Behavior Activation Therapy for Depression: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Behavioral Activation Therapy (BAT) was originally developed for the treatment of depressive behaviors and is one of the main empirically validated interventions for this clinical condition. Contemporary models have included Values Assessment as an additional resource to guide the selection of planned activation activities. The present study aimed to examine the use of values in BAT among individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder, through a systematic review of the literature from the last 12 years. Articles available in the CAPES portal published between 2010 and 2022 were analyzed, with emphasis on randomized clinical trials, case studies, single-subject design research, and survey studies. Initially, 141 articles were identified, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 studies were selected to compose the review. The results did not provide evidence on how the inclusion or exclusion of values influences the effectiveness of BAT protocols. The body of empirical evidence appears limited regarding the use of values in BAT.