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.
School of Psychology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia. c.roberts@curtin.edu.au
Clare M
CM
Roberts
Robert
R
Kane
Brian
B
Bishop
Donna
D
Cross
Jamie
J
Fenton
Bret
B
Hart
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