Examining the Effects of Problem-Solving Training on Depression in High School Students: Focusing on Changes in Activation and Avoidance

Abstract

This study examined the effects of problem-solving training on depression, behavioral activation, and avoidance among high school students. Problem-solving training was provided to 253 first-year high school students in a single session lasting 50 minutes. The results showed a significant decrease in depression scores in the group showing improvement in activation and avoidance. This suggests that the improvement in both activation and avoidance tendencies may be important in explaining the intervention effect on depression in school-based interventions. This study shows that not only the acquisition of problem-solving skills, but also the performance of coping behaviors and reinforcement, are important factors in the prevention of depression.