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Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescence is associated with relatively poor response and high recurrence rates, and the adverse effects of antidepressants are well known. Preventing the disorder with nondrug tools would be clinically useful.
In this multisite study, the 316 at-risk participants (age range, 13–17) had a parent with past or present MDD and had previous MDD or current subsyndromal symptoms. They were randomized to group cognitive-behavioral therapy or usual care. CBT involved eight weekly and then six monthly 90-minute sessions; the mixed-sex groups consisted of 3 to 10 teenagers.
Mean attendance was 6.5 sessions during the first 8 weeks (range, 0–8) and 3.8 sessions during the last 6 months. A baseline informational meeti…