The effect of cognitive -behavioral group counseling on adolescent depression, academic performance, and self -esteem

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy program in reducing symptoms of depression and improving school performance and self esteem in four groups of depressed adolescents. The sample included 43 adolescent volunteers enrolled in a secondary school with grades 9 through 12. The four treatment groups were (1) adolescents with symptoms of mild/moderate depression, (2) adolescents exhibiting symptoms of mild/moderate depression and a comorbid attention deficit disorder, (3) adolescents with symptoms of mild/moderate depression and a comorbid substance use disorder, (4) adolescents with mild/moderate depression and a comorbid conduct disorder.;Results of this study indicated that cognitive-behavioral group counseling was effective in reducing the symptoms of depression in all subjects. Academic achievement improved in all treatment groups with the exception of the conduct disorder group. Self esteem improved in all of the groups upon completion of the study. Previous research supported the effectiveness of the treatment with mildly depressed adolescents. The most significant finding of the study was the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral group treatment for depressed adolescents with comorbid diagnoses of attention deficit disorder, substance use disorder, and conduct disorder.