Effectiveness of Depression Prevention Programs in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors

  • Monthicha Raksilp Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
  • Somruk Krongyudh Department of Pediatric Nursing, Boromarajonani College of Nursing Sunpasitthiprasong, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
  • Nopparat Songserm Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
  • Sirinporn Bussahong Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health, Boromarajonani College of Nursing Sunpasitthiprasong, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.160320254839

Keywords:

Depression, Adolescence, Prevention Programs, Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of depression prevention programs in adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Comprised searching and selecting research from electronic sources using predefined criteria, collecting 16 relevant papers, extracting data, and doing a meta-analysis utilizing RevMan version 5. Furthermore, a fixed effect model was utilized to investigate and evaluate the quality of research using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results: The study included 3,311 participants with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.17 (95% CI: -0.24, -0.10). A considerable data difference (I² = 90%, p <0.001) indicates a high degree of variability. Of the total participants, 1,759 youths (53.1%) who attended depression prevention programs reported less depressed symptoms. Subgroup analysis showed that interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) had an impact size of -2.14 to 2.61 (I² = 86%), whereas cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) had an effect value of -0.12 (95% CI: -0.19, -0.04) with an I² of 79%. A funnel plot study discovered that the CBT subset may have undergone publication bias, whereas the IPT subgroup did not.

Conclusion: Antidepressant regimens, especially those that include interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, are beneficial in treating depression in adolescents. However, further research is needed due to the large quantity of data disagreement and probable publishing bias in particular regions.

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Published

2025-03-01

How to Cite

1.
Raksilp M, Krongyudh S, Songserm N, Bussahong S. Effectiveness of Depression Prevention Programs in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 1 [cited 2025 Mar. 23];16(03):283-94. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4839

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Systematic Review/ Meta Analysis