The efficacy of a universal school-based program to prevent adolescent depression

Evaluated whether a universal school-based program, designed to prevent depression in adolescents, could be effectively implemented within the constraints of the school environment. Participants were 260 Year 9 secondary school students. Students completed measures of depressive symptoms and hopelessness and were then assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (a) Resourceful Adolescent Program Adolescents (RAP A), an 11-session school-based resilience building program, as part of the school curriculum; (b) Resourceful Adolescent Program-Family (RAP-F), the same program as in RAP A, but in which each student's parents were also invited to participate in a 3-session parent program; and (c) Adolescent Watch, a comparison group in which adolescents simply completed the measures. The program was implemented with a high recruitment (88%), low attrition rate (5.8%), and satisfactory adherence to program protocol. Adolescents in either of the RAP programs reported significantly lower levels of depressive symptomatology and hopelessness at post-intervention and 10-month follow-up, compared with those in the comparison group. Adolescents also reported high satisfaction with the program. The study provides evidence for the efficacy of a school-based universal program designed to prevent depression in adolescence.

West elevation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

Riverside Expressway building, Expressway on right.

West elevation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

William St building, facing Riverside Expressway. Landscaped courtyard space in foreground.

West elevation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

William St building, facing Riverside Expressway.

Sunshading fins, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

Steel shading structure to East elevation of Riverside Expressway building. William St building and main entry area in background.

Windows, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

North elevation, Riverside Expressway building.

Facade articulation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

Detail of precast concrete sunshading panels to freeway (West) elevation.

South elevation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

William St building, as seen from across Riverside Expressway off-ramp.

Main entry, William St, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

William St building-Riverside Expressway building junction.

Facade articulation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

Detail of precast concrete sunshading panels to freeway (West) elevation.

North elevation, Neville Bonner Building, Brisbane

As seen from Queens Wharf Road.

Entrance, Agriculture and Entomology Building, Brisbane

View to entrance.

Stair, Agriculture and Entomology Building, Brisbane

View to circulation stair from exterior.

Entrance, Agriculture and Entomology Building, Brisbane

View to entrance.