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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Apr;17(3):295-305.
doi: 10.1007/s11121-015-0615-2.

Twelve-Month Outcomes of a Randomized Trial of the Positive Thoughts and Action Program for Depression Among Early Adolescents

Mylien T Duong  1 , Rick A Cruz  2 , Kevin M King  3 , Heather D Violette  4 , Carolyn A McCarty  3   4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Twelve-Month Outcomes of a Randomized Trial of the Positive Thoughts and Action Program for Depression Among Early Adolescents

Mylien T Duong et al. Prev Sci. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the 12-month effects on depression and depressive symptoms of a group-based cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for middle school students (Positive Thoughts and Actions, or PTA), relative to a brief, individually administered supportive intervention (Individual Support Program, or ISP). A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 120 early adolescents (73 girls and 47 boys; age 12-14 years) drawn from a school-based population who had elevated depressive symptoms. Youths completed measures of depressive symptoms at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 and 12 months into the follow-up phase. Measures of internalizing problems, externalizing problems, school adjustment, interpersonal relationships, and health behavior were obtained from parents and/or youth. Multilevel models indicated that the effect of PTA on youth-reported depressive symptoms persisted until 12-month follow-up; d = 0.36 at post-intervention, d = 0.24 at 6-month follow-up, and d = 0.21 at 12-month follow-up. PTA youths also reported lower internalizing symptoms at post-intervention, d = 0.44, and at 12-month follow-up, d = 0.39. Time-limited effects were found for parent-reported internalizing symptoms and health behavior. Onset of new depressive episodes did not differ based on intervention group (21 % ISP; 17 % PTA). Results demonstrate support for the long-term efficacy of PTA, a cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention in which youths engage in personal goal-setting and practice social-emotional skills.

Keywords: Depression; Indicated; Intervention; Prevention; School-based.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow from pre-intervention to 12-month follow-up.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Observed and predicted depressive symptom scores for PTA and ISP participants separately, under the persistent effects model.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cumulative percent remaining depression free for intervention and control groups over follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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