Depression in children and young people: Prevention by psychological programmes?
Psychological programmes seem to help prevent depression in young people who are at high risk, and they might reduce symptoms in the short term.
Eight out of every 100 (8%) children and young people are depressed. Up to 24 out of 100 (24%) of all young people will have gone through a depression that might need treatment at least once by the time they are 18.
To try to find a way to prevent depression in children and young people, psychologists, therapists and other experts have developed a range of education and training programmes. It was not known whether or not these could really prevent depression or reduce depressive symptoms.
Researchers therefore analysed 21 trials in which programmes like this were studied. Altogether more than 5,300 children and young people between the ages of 5 and 19 years took part.
In psychologically-based programmes children and young people with a high risk of depression attended a series of sessions, where they learned how they could cope with sad situations or stress, and how to solve problems. The analysis of these studies suggested that programmes like this could reduce depressive symptoms in children and young people with a high risk of depression, as well as prevent depression occurring from a short period of time to up to a year. Children are at an increased risk of depression if they are having depressive symptoms and/or a family member is depressed or has another mental illness.
Other types of programmes for children and young people who are not at particular risk were also studied. They provided information about how the illness develops, the signs and treatment options. The studies suggested that these programmes might only have limited success.
The researchers pointed out that individual programmes are very different. There was not enough evidence to show whether any one particular type of programme worked better. It is also unclear whether or not programmes have a different impact on girls and boys. The studies do show that psychological programmes could particularly help prevent depression in children and young people at high risk.
- Created (German version): July 05th 2006 16:08
- Last update: July 05th 2006 16:07
- History: Show list
- Source: Merry S, McDowell H, Hetrick S, Bir J, Muller N. Psychological and/or educational interventions for the prevention of depression in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 2. (Cochrane Database)