Social skills training to reduce depression in adolescents

The efficacy of Structured Learning Therapy (SLT) in treating adolescent depression was evaluated. SLT treatment focuses on developing social competencies, self-evaluation skills, and appropriate affective expression. Eighteen adolescents, aged 14-19 years, prescreened for depression were randomly assigned to the SLT treatment or control group. All subjects participated in six biweekly 60-minute sessions. Pre-, post, and follow-up assessments on depression, self-esteem, and personality measures were conducted. Results suggest that SLT reliably reduced depression in males (p < .05) and maintained their improved level of functioning (p < .02). Female treatment subjects did not improve significantly. Results suggest differential effectiveness of treatment across gender.