Effectiveness of brief school-based, group cognitive behavioural therapy for depressed adolescents in south west Nigeria
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Bella-Awusah, T
Ani, C
Ajuwon, A
Omigbodun, O
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
There is paucity of evidence-based psychological interventions for depressive disorders in Africa, more so among depressed children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the effects of a school-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme (CBT) on depressed adolescents in South West Nigeria.
Methods
Forty students who scored 18 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were recruited from two schools (20 from each school). One school was designated intervention and the other a wait-list control school. Five weekly sessions of group CBT programme were conducted in the intervention school. Primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory, and secondary outcome measures were the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and the Impact Supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
Results
Controlling for baseline scores and other confounders, the intervention group had significantly lower depressive symptoms scores on the BDI and SMFQ 1 week post intervention with large effect sizes. The intervention group maintained the treatment effect with significantly lower depression scores 16 weeks post intervention compared with their baseline scores. The effect sizes remained large. The intervention and control groups did not differ in their SDQ impact supplement scores post intervention, but the intervention group improved significantly on this measure at 16 weeks.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first study of a school-based group CBT programme for depressed adolescents in Africa. The programme showed good feasibility and promising effectiveness.
There is paucity of evidence-based psychological interventions for depressive disorders in Africa, more so among depressed children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the effects of a school-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme (CBT) on depressed adolescents in South West Nigeria.
Methods
Forty students who scored 18 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were recruited from two schools (20 from each school). One school was designated intervention and the other a wait-list control school. Five weekly sessions of group CBT programme were conducted in the intervention school. Primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory, and secondary outcome measures were the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and the Impact Supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
Results
Controlling for baseline scores and other confounders, the intervention group had significantly lower depressive symptoms scores on the BDI and SMFQ 1 week post intervention with large effect sizes. The intervention group maintained the treatment effect with significantly lower depression scores 16 weeks post intervention compared with their baseline scores. The effect sizes remained large. The intervention and control groups did not differ in their SDQ impact supplement scores post intervention, but the intervention group improved significantly on this measure at 16 weeks.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first study of a school-based group CBT programme for depressed adolescents in Africa. The programme showed good feasibility and promising effectiveness.
Date Issued
2015-04-18
Date Acceptance
2015-03-16
Citation
Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2015, 21 (1), pp.44-50
ISSN
1475-3588
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
44
End Page
50
Journal / Book Title
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Volume
21
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bella-Awusah, T., Ani, C., Ajuwon, A. and Omigbodun, O. (2016), Effectiveness of brief school-based, group cognitive behavioural therapy for depressed adolescents in south west Nigeria. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 21: 44–50, which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/camh.12104. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Subjects
Social Sciences
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Psychology, Clinical
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Psychology
Adolescent
depression
cognitive behavioural therapy
school
Africa
psychological treatment
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE
PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS
ANXIETY DISORDERS
GLOBAL BURDEN
CHILDREN
METAANALYSIS
PSYCHOTHERAPY
SYMPTOMS
Publication Status
Published