The prevention of depressive symptoms in low-income, minority children: two-year follow-up

Behav Res Ther. 2007 Feb;45(2):313-27. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2006.03.010. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

We present 2-year follow-up data on the efficacy of the Penn Resiliency Program (PRP), a school-based depression prevention program, with low-income, racial/ethnic minority children. This program taught cognitive and social problem-solving skills to 168 Latino and African American middle school children who were at-risk for developing depressive symptoms by virtue of their low-income status. We had previously reported beneficial effects of the PRP up to 6 months after the conclusion of the program for the Latino children, but no clear effect for the African American children. In this paper, we extend the analyses to 24 months after the conclusion of the PRP. We continue to find some beneficial effects for the Latino children and no differentially beneficial effect for the African American children. Implications of findings and future research directions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Depression / ethnology
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Income*
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Problem Solving
  • Psychosocial Deprivation*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept
  • Treatment Outcome