A support group intervention for at-risk female high school students.

Full Abstract

School nurses have an opportunity to engage in early intervention with high-risk adolescents. School-based support groups for depressed adolescents have been effective when aimed at providing skills training as well as emotional support. In this practice improvement project, 14 high-risk female adolescents from two high schools were identified on the basis of signs associated with depression. The students completed a questionnaire about risk and protective factors during the assessment and at the end of the intervention. Twelve students participated in a weekly support group designed to enhance coping skills and to provide emotional support. Assessment revealed that the students were at suicide risk. At the conclusion of the group intervention, there was a 55% decrease in suicidal ideation, a 27% decrease in perceived stress, and a 26% decrease in family distress. In addition, most of the students became engaged in formal treatment for the first time.

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Author information

Author/s: Houck, Gail M (GM); Darnell, Susan (S); Lussman, Sarah (S);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School Nurses (J Sch Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 18 (issue 4) : pp 212-8

Dates: Created 2002/08/30; Completed 2002/09/25; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12201659, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
School Nursing - methods
Self-Help Groups
Students - psychology

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