Development and evaluation of depression prevention program using cognitive restructuring method for part-time high school students

There is a need to prevent depression among part-time high school students. Thus far, a classroom-based depression prevention program using the cognitive restructuring method has been implemented. In this study, we developed and evaluated of a depression prevention program using the cognitive restructuring method for part-time high school students in a regular course schedule. Forty-one part-time high school students who were enrolled in a regular course were analyzed. Depression and cognitive distortions in interpersonal situations were measured before and after the program and at the 3-month follow-up. Immediately after the program, participants were asked to evaluate the program and describe their impressions. The results showed no improvement in depression, but improvement in cognitive distortions such as a lack of self-confidence, self-deprecation, and exclusion of others. Participants also indicated that they found the program useful and actively participated in it. Finally, through the analysis of the participants’ impressions using text mining, issues to be addressed in the implementation of this program were presented.