Activación conductual como intervención terapéutica en adolescentes y adultos emergentes: revisión de avances científicos
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Fecha
2026
Autores
Costa Sanguino, Jire Daniela
Viloria Pineda, Andrea Carolina
Girón Cantillo, Nacary
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
La depresión constituye uno de los problemas de salud mental con mayor prevalencia en la población juvenil y adulta, generando un impacto significativo en el bienestar emocional, así como en el funcionamiento académico, social y laboral de quienes la padecen. En adolescentes y adultos emergentes, esta problemática se intensifica debido a los cambios propios de estas etapas del desarrollo, aunque los tratamientos farmacológicos y la terapia cognitivo conductual han sido ampliamente utilizados para abordar la depresión, en muchos casos presentan limitaciones relacionadas con los costos, la duración de las intervenciones, la adherencia al tratamiento y la resistencia a la medicación. Estas dificultades evidencian la necesidad de desarrollar y evaluar intervenciones terapéuticas eficaces, accesibles y breves que permitan mejorar la atención en salud mental de estas poblaciones. En este contexto surge la Activación Conductual (AC) como intervención terapéutica, cuyo objetivo principal es incrementar la participación del ndividuo en actividades significativas y reforzantes que favorezcan la obtención de experiencias positivas. Por ello, la Activación Conductual (AC) propone estrategias estructuradas y basadas en evidencia, orientadas a la programación gradual de actividades significativas y la reducción de patrones de evitación que suelen mantener o agravar los síntomas depresivos. En este sentido, la intervención se centra en identificar conductas de inactividad que limitan el contacto del individuo con experiencias gratificantes, reemplazándolas progresivamente por acciones dirigidas a objetivos concretos.
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health problems among young people and adults, significantly impacting emotional well-being, as well as academic, social, and occupational functioning. In adolescents and young adults, this problem intensifies due to the changes inherent in these developmental stages. Although pharmacological treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy have been widely used to address depression, they often present limitations related to cost, intervention duration, treatment adherence, and medication resistance. These difficulties highlight the need to develop and evaluate effective, accessible, and brief therapeutic interventions to improve mental health care for these populations. In this context, Behavioral Activation (BA) emerges as a therapeutic intervention whose main objective is to increase the individual's participation in meaningful and reinforcing activities that promote positive experiences. Therefore, Behavioral Activation (BA) proposes strategies focused on scheduling activities and reducing avoidance patterns. Through these mechanisms, the therapy seeks to re-establish the individual's contact with their environment and promote behavioral changes that contribute to improved mood and overall functioning. BA has emerged in recent years as a promising therapeutic alternative within contemporary behavioral therapies, standing out for its clear structure, action-oriented approach, and brief application. Its application in adolescents and young adults is particularly relevant, as these populations exhibit high levels of vulnerability to depressive disorders and require interventions adapted to their developmental characteristics.
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health problems among young people and adults, significantly impacting emotional well-being, as well as academic, social, and occupational functioning. In adolescents and young adults, this problem intensifies due to the changes inherent in these developmental stages. Although pharmacological treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy have been widely used to address depression, they often present limitations related to cost, intervention duration, treatment adherence, and medication resistance. These difficulties highlight the need to develop and evaluate effective, accessible, and brief therapeutic interventions to improve mental health care for these populations. In this context, Behavioral Activation (BA) emerges as a therapeutic intervention whose main objective is to increase the individual's participation in meaningful and reinforcing activities that promote positive experiences. Therefore, Behavioral Activation (BA) proposes strategies focused on scheduling activities and reducing avoidance patterns. Through these mechanisms, the therapy seeks to re-establish the individual's contact with their environment and promote behavioral changes that contribute to improved mood and overall functioning. BA has emerged in recent years as a promising therapeutic alternative within contemporary behavioral therapies, standing out for its clear structure, action-oriented approach, and brief application. Its application in adolescents and young adults is particularly relevant, as these populations exhibit high levels of vulnerability to depressive disorders and require interventions adapted to their developmental characteristics.
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Activación conductual, Depresión adolescentes, Adultos, Intervención, Salud mental
