[Depression secondary prevention in primary care]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Depression is a prevalent mental health condition requiring effective secondary prevention strategies.
• Primary care settings offer opportunities for accessible mental health interventions.
• Evaluating the comparative efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of different therapeutic approaches is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of three group interventions for secondary depression prevention.
• To assess cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), coping resources therapy (CRT), and social support interventions.
• To evaluate outcomes against a waiting list control group.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 60 participants with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms.
• Interventions included CBT, CRT (focusing on existing abilities), and social support.
• Assessments of psychopathology, quality of life, and mental health service utilization at baseline, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Both CBT and CRT demonstrated superior efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency compared to the social support group.
• The social support group showed better outcomes than the waiting list control group.
• These findings were consistent across psychopathology and quality of life measures.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy and coping resources therapy are effective secondary prevention strategies for mild-to-moderate depression in primary care.
• Social support offers a benefit over no intervention but is less effective than active therapeutic approaches.
• Long-term follow-up confirms the sustained benefits of active interventions.