Predictors of prevention failure in college students participating in two indicated depression prevention programs.
The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of university students with the highest likelihood of remaining at elevated levels of depressive symptoms six months following the receipt of a depressive prevention intervention on the basis of known risk factors and participation in one of two depression prevention programs. Data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating depression prevention among 133 college students with elevated depressive symptoms were analyzed. Participants were randomized to a cognitive-behavioral or relaxation training group preventive intervention. Classification tree analysis showed that older age was the strongest risk factor for persistently elevated depression. Additional risk factors were: (1) for younger students, fewer daily pleasant activities; (2) for those with higher level of pleasant activities, higher level of stressful events; and (3) for those with higher level of stressful events, lower assertiveness. Results offer directions for prevention foci, identify specific subgroups of college students to target for depression prevention efforts, and suggest that research aim to help older, non-traditional students or graduating students manage the transition from college to the work force.
Depressive Disorders Unit, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain. vanessa.blanco@usc.es.
Vanessa
V
Blanco
Oregon Research Institute, 1766 Millrace Drive, Eugene, OR 97403, USA. paulr@ori.org.
Paul
P
Rohde
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain. fernandolino.vazquez@usc.es.
Fernando L
FL
Vázquez
Depressive Disorders Unit, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain. patricia.otero@usc.es.
Patricia
P
Otero
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001242:Assertiveness; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult