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The prevention of anxiety and depression in children from disadvantaged schools

2009; Elsevier BV; Volume: 48; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.brat.2009.09.002

1873-622X

Clare Roberts, Robert Kane, Brian Bishop, Donna Cross, Jamie Fenton, Bret Hart,

Infant Development and Preterm Care

A randomised controlled trial evaluated the Aussie Optimism Program in preventing anxiety and depression. Grade 7 students (n = 496) from disadvantaged government schools in Perth Western Australia, participated. Six schools were randomly assigned to Aussie Optimism and six schools received their usual health education lessons. Students completed questionnaires on depression, anxiety, attribution style, and social skills. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist. No significant group effects were found for student-reported data. Parents of intervention group only students reported reductions in internalizing problems at post-test. No follow-up group effects were significant. Students and teachers found the program acceptable.