TRIAL TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP COGNITIVE BEHA VIOUR THERAPY (CBT) IN THE PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION IN HIGH RISK ADOLESCENTS

Classes of children aged 13-16 will be randomised to one of three, 10 week, Personal Social Health and Education (PSHE) conditions. The experimental condition will be based upon cognitive behaviour therapy and will specifically target depressive cognitions and mood. The second will be an attention control condition involving similar time and contact with external group leaders but will not include the active components of the CBT intervention. The third will be treatment as usual, i.e. PSHE delivered by the school. Symptoms of depression (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire), cognitions (Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale) and self-image (Self Image Profile) will be assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months and an economic evaluation undertaken at 12 months. The primary analysis will explore the preventative effect of the intervention on children identified as "at risk" of depression i.e. those scoring high on the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire at initial screen and baseline assessment. Secondary analysis will explore the effect upon cognitions and self-image. Finally the preventative effects upon all participating students and the impact of possible mediating mechanism of self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse will be investigated.