A Qualitative Investigation of Adolescents’ Perceived Mechanisms of Change from a Universal School-Based Depression Prevention Program

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Ian Shochet²  Roslyn Montague¹  Coral Smith² 

[1] New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry, Sydney 2145, Australia; E-Mail:;School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia; E-Mail:

关键词: prevention;    universal interventions;    adolescence;    depression;    school-based interventions;    resilience;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph110505541

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A recent meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the universal application of school-based prevention programs for adolescent depression. The mechanisms underlying such successful interventions, however, are largely unknown. We report on a qualitative analysis of 109 Grade 9 students’ beliefs about what they gained from an evidence-based depression prevention intervention, the Resourceful Adolescent Program (RAP-A). Fifty-four percent of interviewees articulated at least one specific example of program benefit. A thematic analysis of responses revealed two major themes, improved interpersonal relationships and improved self-regulation, both stronger than originally assumed. A more minor theme also emerged—more helpful cognitions. It is postulated that both improved interpersonal relationships and improved self-regulation are likely to enhance one another, and more helpful cognitions may express its contribution through enhanced self-regulation. These findings broaden our understanding of the impact of depression prevention programs, beginning to illuminate how such programs benefit participants.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.