Type
Summary
910 children (ages 9-10) in Western Australia participated in a randomized trial (randomized by school) of a curriculum-based
mental health promotion program. The program involves cognitive and behavioral strategies aimed at preventing depressive and
anxiety symptoms and disorders in middle primary school children. Children in the intervention condition demonstrated a
significant pre-post reduction in depressive symptoms as well as parent-reported emotional difficulties; the gains were
maintained at 6 months post-intervention.
Citation
Rooney, R., Hassan, S., Kane, R., Roberts, C.M., Nesa, M. (2013). Reducing depression in 9-10 year old children in low SES schools: A longitudinal universal randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 845-854. doi:10.1016.j.brat.2013.09.005.