The prevention of anxiety and depression in children from disadvantaged schools.
A randomised controlled trial evaluated the Aussie Optimism Program in preventing anxiety and depression. Grade 7 students (n = 496) from disadvantaged government schools in Perth Western Australia, participated. Six schools were randomly assigned to Aussie Optimism and six schools received their usual health education lessons. Students completed questionnaires on depression, anxiety, attribution style, and social skills. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist. No significant group effects were found for student-reported data. Parents of intervention group only students reported reductions in internalizing problems at post-test. No follow-up group effects were significant. Students and teachers found the program acceptable.
Roberts
Clare M
CM
School of Psychology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia. c.roberts@curtin.edu.au
Kane
Robert
R
Bishop
Brian
B
Cross
Donna
D
Fenton
Jamie
J
Hart
Bret
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011203:Poverty; D012574:Schools; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires