Can cognitive-behavioral therapy increase self-esteem among depressed adolescents? A systematic review

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in improving self-esteem among depressed adolescents aged 13-18 years. A search identified 265 references, 33 articles were acquired, of which two papers met the inclusion criteria. Two excluded studies are also discussed. A total of 82 participants from two trials were included in the meta-analysis. The data suggest CBT may be an effective treatment for increasing global and academic self-esteem when compared to wait-list controls. However, more research is needed due to the limited number of studies conducted in this area and the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of CBT. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved