Depression Prevention For Early Adolescent Girls: A Pilot Study Of All-Girls Versus Co-Ed Groups

Authors

T. M. Chaplin
Jane Gillham, Swarthmore CollegeFollow
K. Reivich
A. G.L. Elkon
B. Samuels
D. R. Freres
B. Winder
M. E.P. Seligman

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2006

Published In

Journal Of Early Adolescence

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 20811-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.

Comments

This work is a preprint that has been provided to PubMed Central courtesy of SAGE Publications.

Recommended Citation

T. M. Chaplin, Jane Gillham, K. Reivich, A. G.L. Elkon, B. Samuels, D. R. Freres, B. Winder, and M. E.P. Seligman. (2006). "Depression Prevention For Early Adolescent Girls: A Pilot Study Of All-Girls Versus Co-Ed Groups". Journal Of Early Adolescence. Volume 26, Issue 1. 110-126. DOI: 10.1177/0272431605282655
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-psychology/78