The Coping with Depression course: Short-term outcomes and mediating effects of a randomized controlled trial in the treatment of subclinical depression

This article reports on a randomized controlled trial investigating the short-term effectiveness of the Coping With Depression course in a sample of adults seriously at risk of developing major depression. In addition, possible mediating properties of several proximal outcome variables were assessed. Participants (N = 110) were adults with subclinical depressive symptoms. They were randomly assigned to either a group course condition, the Coping With Depression course, or an assessment-and-advice-only control group condition. Short-term results measured I month after completion of the course reveal that the course is effective in reducing depressive symptoms. The group course condition showed beneficial effects on depressive symptoms, pleasant activities, self-esteem, social skills, social support, and depressive thoughts. Changes in depressive cognition and self-esteem proved to be significant mediators of depressive symptoms. Possible implications for depression prevention are discussed.