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. 2006 Feb;26(1):110-126.
doi: 10.1177/0272431605282655.

Depression Prevention for Early Adolescent Girls: A Pilot Study of All Girls Versus Co-Ed Groups

Tara M Chaplin  1 , Jane E Gillham  1 , Karen Reivich  1 , Andrea G L Elkon  2 , Barbra Samuels  3 , Derek R Freres  4 , Breanna Winder  5 , Martin E P Seligman  1
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Depression Prevention for Early Adolescent Girls: A Pilot Study of All Girls Versus Co-Ed Groups

Tara M Chaplin et al. J Early Adolesc. 2006 Feb.

Abstract

Given the dramatic increase in depression that occurs during early adolescence in girls, interventions must address the needs of girls. The authors examined whether a depression prevention program, the Penn Resiliency Program, was more effective for girls in all-girls groups than in co-ed groups. Within co-ed groups, the authors also tested whether there were greater effects for boys than for girls. Participants were 208 11- to 14-year-olds. Girls were randomly assigned to all-girls groups, co-ed groups, or control. Boys were assigned to co-ed groups or control. Students completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and explanatory style before and after the intervention. Girls groups were better than co-ed groups in reducing girls'hopelessness and for session attendance rates but were similar to co-ed groups in reducing depressive symptoms. Co-ed groups decreased depressive symptoms, but this did not differ by gender. Findings support prevention programs and suggest additional benefits of girls groups.

Keywords: adolescence; depressive symptoms; gender; hopelessness; prevention; single-sex groups.

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