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DRIVE: A Network for Depression Research

The Depression Research Initiative (DRIVE) is a research network whose purpose is to further the understanding of depression and develop more effective treatment approaches.

Group photo of DRIVE members, taken outside Harald Schjelderups Hus

About DRIVE

DRIVE is made up by five work packages, each being led by different senior researchers. 

The key objective of diversifying the work packages is to encompass several core aspects of depression research, so they collectively can address questions that cannot be managed by a single work package. 

Established: 2022

Members: 30

Point of Contact: DRIVE-steeringgroup@psykologi.uio.no

Overarching Aims

The number 1 in white, within a black circle
To identify the pivotal causal factors, processes, and mechanisms that lead to depression in a developmental perspective
The number 2 in white, within a black circle
To explore alternative taxonomies of classifying depression in diverse and representative clinical samples, with the ultimate aim of enabling truly personalized treatment
The number 3 in white, within a black circle
To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of novel and promising treatment modalities for depression, including high-intensity, high-dose, sequential, combined and add-on treatments

Arbeidspakkene

All Work Packages

Steering Group and Work Package Leaders

Bilde av Sverre Urnes JohnsonSverre Urnes Johnson
Professor

Steering Group Member
Leader Work Package 1: Outcome

Bilde av Ole Andre SolbakkenOle André Solbakken
Professor

Steering Group Member
Leader Work Package 2: Treatment

All members

International members

Bilde av Jan StubberudJan Egil Stubberud
Professor

Steering Group Member

Bilde av Ragnhild BøRagnhild Bø
Postdoctoral Researcher

Leader Work Package 3: Biomarkers and pathological mechanisms

 

Bilde av Kristin MartinsenKristin Martinsen
Professor, Head of Section for Clinical Psychology

Steering Group Member
Leader Work Package 5: Developmental Pathways to Depression

Bilde av Helene Amundsen Nissen-LieHelene Amundsen Nissen-Lie
Professor

Leader Work Package 4: Social and Cultural Drivers in Depression

 

Publications

  • Stubberud J. (2026). Å høre depresjon. Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening, 63(8), 508-510. https://doi.org/10.52734/QHLH4661 [pdf]
  • Stubberud J., & Hoorelbeke, K. (2026). When thinking gets stuck: rumination and cognitive disengagement in depression. Nature Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-026-00699-1 [pdf]
  • Stubberud J. (2026). A Closer Look at Ketogenic Diet Effects in Depression. JAMA psychiatry, Advance online publication.  https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.0944 [pdf]
  • Høstmælingen, A., Nissen-Lie, H. A., Monsen, J. T., Heinonen, E., Wampold, B. E., Czajkowski, N., Visted, E., Lau, B. and Solbakken, O. A. (2025) Use of antidepressant medication is associated with slower response to open-ended psychotherapy for depressed patients. Front. Psychiatry 16, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1503848 [pdf]
  • Harrer, M., Sprenger, A. A., Illing, S., Adriaanse, M. C., Albert, S. M., Allart, E., … Bø, R., ... Landrø, N. I., ... Ebert, D. D. (2025). Psychological intervention in individuals with subthreshold depression: individual participant data meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2025.56 [pdf]
  • Høstmælingen, A., Nissen-Lie, H. A., Monsen, J. T., & Solbakken, O. A. (2025). Interrelationships of symptomatic and relational distress: Improvements in interpersonal problems predict subsequent improvement in depressive symptoms during open-ended psychotherapy for adults with depression.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 93(6), 457–470. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000956 [pdf]

See all publications