The Resourceful Adolescent Project: Building psychological resilience in adolescents and their parents

Abstract

AbstractIncreasing psychological resilience in young people can prevent the development of depression. The model of adolescent depression underlying the Resourceful Adolescent Project (RAP) suggests that adolescent depression and suicide result from a combination of some or all of three interrelating factors: (a) deficits in adolescent psychological wellbeing and coping resources; (b) escalating or chronic family conflict; and (c) depressive adolescent thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Each element of this model suggests discrete aspects of the overall prevention and early Intervention strategy used in RAP. This overview of the activities of RAP outlines the need for the project, the benefits of early Intervention in preventing adolescent depression, and the empirical and theoretical bases of the programs used in the project. The programs for adolescents and for their parents, their efficacy, and future directions of RAP are also described.