Impact of a transdiagnostic prevention protocol for targeting adolescent anxiety and depression

Abstract

The present study examined the benefit of a transdiagnostic prevention program, Super Skills for Life - adolescent version (SSL-A), among adolescents with internalizing and externalizing problems in two types of school settings (mainstream school and pupil referral unit) using a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (RCT). The main aims were to examine the effects of the SSL- A in reducing internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents, and to identify the moderating role of gender, age, and school type on the intervention outcome. The RCT involved 112 adolescents aged 11 to 14 years old, randomly allocated to either an SSL-A intervention group or a waitlist-control group (WLC). Adolescents in the intervention group participated immediately in the SSL-A, whereas adolescents in the WLC group received the intervention after the intervention group completed the six months follow-up assessment. Results showed that internalizing and externalizing problems were significantly reduced from pre-test to follow-up assessments. Gender, age and school setting moderated the intervention outcome. Specifically, males, younger adolescents and adolescents from mainstream schools showed a significant reduction over time on both internalizing and externalizing problems. Although SSL was designed to target internalizing problems, this study shows that it also had positive effects on adolescents with internalizing and externalizing problems.