BACKGROUND: Major depression is a common disorder among teenagers and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. Early identification and treatment is essential to prevent suicide. Depression education is a potential intervention for improving knowledge about depression and help-seeking behavior. METHODS: The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) is a school-based depression education intervention with a core message that depression is a treatable medical illness. 710 high school students from six schools in Tulsa, OK participated in the study comparing changes in knowledge about depression and attitudes toward treatment-seeking between students receiving the intervention and those who did not. Changes in depression knowledge and attitude toward help-seeking were measured using the ADAP Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (ADKQ). RESULTS: There was a significant positive change in ADKQ score for students receiving the intervention but not in the control group. The intervention group also demonstrated a significant difference in willingness to "tell someone" if concerned about depression in a peer, which was not present in the control group. LIMITATIONS: The students were not randomized to the intervention and control groups. The ADKQ evaluates attitudes about help-seeking but not behavior. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based educational intervention improved knowledge about depression and attitudes toward help-seeking in adolescents. Future studies should investigate if such change in knowledge results in help-seeking behaviors.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Major depression is a common disorder among teenagers and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. Early identification and treatment is essential to prevent suicide. Depression education is a potential intervention for improving knowledge about depression and help-seeking behavior. METHODS: The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) is a school-based depression education intervention with a core message that depression is a treatable medical illness. 710 high school students from six schools in Tulsa, OK participated in the study comparing changes in knowledge about depression and attitudes toward treatment-seeking between students receiving the intervention and those who did not. Changes in depression knowledge and attitude toward help-seeking were measured using the ADAP Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (ADKQ). RESULTS: There was a significant positive change in ADKQ score for students receiving the intervention but not in the control group. The intervention group also demonstrated a significant difference in willingness to "tell someone" if concerned about depression in a peer, which was not present in the control group. LIMITATIONS: The students were not randomized to the intervention and control groups. The ADKQ evaluates attitudes about help-seeking but not behavior. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based educational intervention improved knowledge about depression and attitudes toward help-seeking in adolescents. Future studies should investigate if such change in knowledge results in help-seeking behaviors.
Authors: Leslie Miller; Rashelle Musci; Douglas D'Agati; Clarissa Alfes; Mary Beth Beaudry; Karen Swartz; Holly Wilcox Journal: School Ment Health Date: 2018-06-25
Authors: Karen Swartz; Rashelle J Musci; Mary Beth Beaudry; Kathryn Heley; Leslie Miller; Clarissa Alfes; Lisa Townsend; Graham Thornicroft; Holly C Wilcox Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-10-19 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Glenn J Treisman; Geetha Jayaram; Russell L Margolis; Godfrey D Pearlson; Chester W Schmidt; Gary L Mihelish; Adrienne Kennedy; Alexandra Howson; Maziar Rasulnia; Iwona E Misiuta Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 2.254