Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a psycho-educational program for prevention of depression in female undergraduates. The experimental group (N = 23) participated in a 7-week prevention program based on cognitive behavior therapy, as part of a psychology class. No special experience or training was given to the control group (N=81). In each experimental session, the participants rated their degree of comprehension of the material covered; this was the psycho-educational program. They were encouraged to comment freely on their feelings. The participants' ratings and comments suggested that they understood the contents of the program well, and were interested in the class. All participants completed questionnaires measuring self-efficacy for coping with depression and the state of their mental health before and after the experimental program. The results indicated that, after participating in the program, the experimental group had increased self-efficacy for coping with depression, compared to the control group, and that this increase was related to an increase in satisfaction with their present situation.
