The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Stressbusters program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Depression Treatment (Child & Adolescent).

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Children in grades 3-6.

Stressbusters is a 10-session intervention designed to reduce depressive symptoms and improve coping and functioning in children. The intervention combines group cognitive-behavioral therapy with family education.

The essential components of Stressbusters include:

• 9 sessions of group cognitive-behavioral treatment, including both generic components (such as social skills, problem-solving training, goal setting, and relaxation) and depression-specific CBT components (such as understanding emotional spirals; pleasant activity scheduling; identification and practice using helpful vs. unhelpful thoughts; and cognitive and behavioral strategies for reversing negative emotional spirals).
• A family education component is included which is designed to enhance generalization to a real world setting and promote a supportive family environment.
• A video is developed by the children (during the group sessions) that is shown to the parents during the final family education session. In making the video, the children practice and demonstrate the skills introduced during each CBT session.
• The intervention concludes with “family night.” This session is designed to promote generalization of skills to key environmental contexts (home, school, community), encourage parents to support the learning that was achieved through the group sessions, and foster positive attitudes toward the skills emphasized in the intervention. After a brief introduction to parents explaining their key role in promoting generalization of the CBT skills to real-world contexts and problems, parents and children are brought together for a multiple-family meeting. During the meeting, the children’s video illustrating the treatment model is presented and children are given awards for their accomplishments. Each child then assumes the role of “consultant” as they teach their parents the skills emphasized in the group session through a series of games. The session ends with the children presenting their parents with awards for their participation in the family session.

Stressbusters was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Depression.

Age range: 8 – 12

Developmental Delays:

This program was not developed for children with developmental delays, and has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Stressbusters was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• There is a family education component designed to enhance family support and support parents in coping with their children's growth and recovery from depressive symptoms.

Stressbusters was designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

4-10 participants.

Testing References:

Asarnow, J. R., Scott, C., & Mintz, J. (2002). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment and Family Interventions for Children with Depression. A combined cognitive-behavioral family education intervention for depression in children: A treatment development study. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 26, 221-229.

Recommended Intensity:

Two roughly 90-minute sessions per week. This can be modified to enhance feasibility.

Recommended Duration:

Ten sessions delivered over 5 weeks (two times/week). This can be modified for weekly sessions over 10 weeks.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Outpatient Clinic
• School

Stressbusters includes a homework component:

Practice exercises are used to help promote generalization to real-world contexts.

Stressbusters does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

A room to meet in and equipment for making video/film.

Background in mental health. Mental health provider may be assisted by teacher, school staff, or other personnel.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Joan R. Asarnow, PhD
  jasarnow@mednet.ucla.edu

Training is obtained:

To be arranged based on the needs of the organization.

Number of days/hours:

To be arranged based on the needs of the organization.

This program is rated a "3 - Promising Research Evidence" on the Scientific Rating Scale based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The practice must have at least one study utilizing some form of control (e.g., untreated group, placebo group, matched wait list study) establishing the practice's benefit over the placebo, or found it to be comparable to or better than an appropriate comparison practice. Please see the Scientific Rating Scale for more information.

Child Welfare Outcome: Child/Family Well-Being