• Karlijn W J de Jonge-Heesen, RasingSanne P ASPAGGZ Oost Brabant, P.O. Box 3, 5427 ZG, Boekel, The Netherlands.Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80125, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands., Ad A Vermulst, ScholteRon H JRHJPraktikon, P.O. Box 6909, 6503 GK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands., Kim M van Ettekoven, EngelsRutger C M ERCMEErasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands., and CreemersDaan H MDHMGGZ Oost Brabant, P.O. Box 3, 5427 ZG, Boekel, The Netherlands.Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands..
• GGZ Oost Brabant, P.O. Box 3, 5427 ZG, Boekel, The Netherlands. kwj.heesen@ggzoostbrabant.nl.
• Bmc Med. 2020 Jul 24; 18 (1): 188188.

BackgroundAdolescent depression is a global mental health concern. Identification and effective prevention in an early stage are necessary. The present randomized, controlled trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based depression prevention in adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms. This prevention approach is implemented in school communities, which allows to examine effects under real-life circumstances.MethodsA total of 5222 adolescents were screened for elevated depressive symptoms in the second grade of secondary schools; 130 adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years old (M = 13.59; SD = 0.68; 63.8% girls) were randomly assigned to the experimental (OVK 2.0) or control condition (psycho-education). Self- and parent-reported depressive symptoms were assessed at pretest and post intervention, as well as 6- and 12-months follow-up. Clinical assessment of depression was assessed at pretest and 6-months follow-up.ResultsIntent-to-treat analyses revealed that the decrease in adolescent-rated depressive symptoms was significantly larger in the intervention condition than in the control condition. There was no significant difference in decrease of parent-rated depressive symptoms between both conditions.ConclusionsBased on the findings, we recommend the implementation of screening and prevention in schools, according the basics of this study design. Since this is a new step forward, we discuss the clinical impact and challenges, as well possibilities for future research.Trial RegistrationThe study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register for RCT's ( NTR5725 ). Date registered: 11 March 2016.

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