PREVENTION OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHOOLCHILDREN - 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

After teaching cognitive and social-problem-solving techniques designe d to prevent depressive symptoms, we followed 69 fifth- and sixth-grad e children at risk for depression for 2 years. We compared these child ren with 49 children in a matched no-treatment control group. The prev ention group reported fewer depressive symptoms through the 2-year fol low-up, and moderate to severe symptoms were reduced by half Surprisin gly, the effects of the prevention program grew lar ger after the prog ram was over. We suggest that psychological immunization against depre ssion can occur by teaching cognitive and social skills to children as they enter puberty.