Efficacy of school-based group interventions for the prevention of depression: A systematic review

Between five and ten percent of children and adolescents have depressive disorders. Chronic depressions are frequently accompanied by first symptoms in childhood and adolescents. Hence, early prevention of depressive disorders is of high importance. We analysed the efficacy of nonpharmacological school-based group interventions for the prevention of depression in children and adolescents by conducting a systematic literature review. Significant improvement in depressive disorders could be assessed in 61 percent of the included studies. Due to the heterogeneity of the study implementation and design, no positive conclusion can be drawn regarding the parameters which lead to a success or a failure of the programmes. As a result of the uncertainty regarding the optimal design of group interventions for the prevention of depression in children and adolescents, a comprehensive implementation of those programs seems to be too early.