The prevention of depression and anxiety.

Abstract

A brief and inexpensive cognitive–behavioral prevention program was given to university students at risk for depression. At risk was defined as being in the most pessimistic quarter of explanatory style. Two hundred thirty-one students were randomized into either an 8week prevention workshop that met in groups of 10, once per week for 2 hr, or into an assessment-only control group. Participants were followed for 3 years and the authors report the preventive effects of the workshop on depression and anxiety. First, the workshop group had significantly fewer episodes of generalized anxiety disorder than the control group and showed a trend toward fewer major depressive episodes. The workshop group had significantly fewer moderate depressive episodes but no fewer severe depressive episodes. Second, the workshop group had significantly fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms than the control group, as measured by self-report but not by clinicians' ratings. Third, the workshop group had significantly greater improvements in explanatory style, hopelessness, and dysfunctional attitudes than the control group and these were significant mediators of depressive symptom prevention in the workshop group.