Changing or Acknowledging Cognitions: A Meta-Analysis of Reducing Depression in Adolescence

Negative cognitions play a key role in the development and maintenance of depression. To reduce depressive symptoms, most interventions either encourage adolescents to change negative cognitions, theorizing that presence underlies depression, or acknowledge one’s reaction We compared these two therapeutic strategies multilevel meta-analysis effects changing versus acknowledging on adolescent searched three databases June 2022 identified 104 randomized controlled trials (335 effect sizes). The sample comprised 27,978 (sample mean age 14−18 years) with all levels symptoms ( M = 15.6 years; 63% female; 65% ethnic majority). overall depression was small d 0.21, p < .001). found no evidence strategy superior other. Strategies 0.23, .016) 0.20, .001) both reduced Our findings suggest, though based self-reported outcomes, are effective reducing which allows for flexibility clinicians patients. next step further understand is scrutinize relative single combined approaches cognitions.