Effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy in schoolchildren with depressive symptoms in Alexandria, Egypt.
We evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for 12-14-year-old school-children from a low socioeconomic area in Alexandria, Egypt during the academic year 2003-04. Our sample comprised 198 boys and 136 girls. Students were assessed using the Child Depression Inventory and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The frequency of depression was 9.6%; 7.1% in boys and 13.2% in girls. The 32 children with depression were offered cognitive behaviour therapy. Only 17 accepted the offer and received 9 sessions of therapy. They were assessed 3 months after the intervention using the same tools and the results indicate the short-term effectiveness of the therapy.
Habib
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Child Mental Health Administrator and Psychiatrist, Alexandria, Egypt. doahabib@yahoo.com
Seif El Din
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A
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012649:Self Concept; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data