A community-based depression prevention intervention with low-income single mothers

Background: There is growing support that cognitive-behavioral interventions may prevent the onset of clinical depression in at-risk individuals. Objectives: This article describes the long-term effects of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stressors in low-income single mothers at risk for clinical depression. Study design: One hundred thirty-six women were randomly assigned to either an experimental or no-treatment control group. The experimental group participated in a 6-hour cognitive-behavioral group intervention targeting identification and reduction of negative thinking. Data were collected on depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stressors at 1, 6, and 12 months postintervention. Result: The women in the intervention group experienced a greater reduction in depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and the perception of chronic stressors. These positive effects continued over a 12-month period. Conclusion: Negative thinking can be reduced using thought stopping and affirmations. These interventions are also cost-effective and easy to administer.