title: Depression Prevention for Early Adolescent Girls: A Pilot Study of All Girls Versus Co-Ed Groups.
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 208 11- 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.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Tara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chaplin
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gillham
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reivich
authors.affiliation: Now at the Medlin Treatment Center, 1235 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Ste. A, Stockbridge, GA 30281.
authors.forename: Andrea G L
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Elkon
authors.affiliation: Now at the Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, P.O. Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: Barbra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.affiliation: Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Freres
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081.
authors.forename: Breanna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winder
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: Martin E P
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Seligman
keywords: adolescence; depressive symptoms; gender; hopelessness; prevention; single-sex groups