2005-04-13Z2011-03-11T08:55:55Zhttp://cogprints.org/id/eprint/4209This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/42092005-04-13ZStrategies for Universal Prevention of Depression in AdolescentsBackground: The occurrence of depressive disorders in adolescence is of high individual and social
importance because of their prevalence and persistence into adulthood and their co-morbidity with other
psychological disorders and psychosocial problems. International researchers have recognized the
seriousness of depressive disorders in adolescence and thus have been involved in the development and
evaluation of prevention programs.
Methods: This article will present the difficulties encountered in prevention research with adolescents and
in the determination of prevention program efficacy. The main focus will be an overview of current
prevention programs and their efficacy with special attention paid to programs featured in the German
language literature. Finally, this article will highlight future directions for prevention research.
Conclusions: In spite of some critical points, there appears to be a positive outlook for depression
prevention programs for adolescents. There is currently support for universal depression prevention
programs that may be incorporated into school settings and on which future research may build. It is
expected that the methodological problems highlighted in this article may be corrected in the next few
years, which may result in more effective, easily integrated programs and a more thorough understanding
of adolescent depression.Patrick Pössel