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Coping with Stress Course

An Effective Practice

Description

The Coping with Stress Course (CWS) targets adolescents at risk for depression who are experiencing elevated depressive symptoms, or "demoralization." The program involves cognitive-restructuring techniques in which participants learn to identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts that may contribute to the development of future mood disorders, such as depression. CWS is an adaptation of the Adolescent Coping with Depression Course (Clarke, Lewinsohn, and Hops, 1990), which targets adolescents already experiencing major depression or dysthymia.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to prevent depression and other mood disorders in adolescents.

Results / Accomplishments

Both studies of the Coping with Stress Course employed rigorous evaluation methodology involving randomized assignment of study participants and found significant reductions in interviewer-rated and self-reported depression symptoms for treatment children when compared with those in a control group. Studies of CWS suggest that the program can be successfully implemented in a wide range of settings. Clarke and colleagues have conducted CWS program evaluations in both an after-school setting as well as a clinical hospital setting, and the program was found to be effective in both.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
Primary Contact
Gregory N. Clarke, Ph.D.
Kaiser Permanente
Center for Health Research
3800 N. Interstate Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 335-6673
greg.clarke@kpchr.org
Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
Source
Promising Practices Network
Date of publication
Sep 2006
Location
Portland, OR
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens