School-Based Primary Prevention of Depressive Symptomatology in Adolescents: Findings From two Studies

Two school-based primary prevention interventions for adolescent depressive symptomatology & disorders were examined in studies with samples of 9th- & 10th-grade adolescents. In Study 1, a 3-session educational intervention was implemented. In Study 2, a five-session behavioural skills training intervention was used. Neither of the two had any effect on depression knowledge, attitudes toward treatment, or actual treatment seeking. The authors conclude depression may be best prevented with a competency-based intervention targetting several disorders. (67 refs.)