Mechanisms of change in cognitive behavioral therapy for depressed biethnic preadolescent females: the effect of group cohesion on the treatment of depressive symptoms

textChildhood depression is a widespread disorder, with Latina girls experiencing higher rates of depression. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy is an empirically supported intervention for the treatment of depression. Group processes occurring during therapy, such as group cohesion, have been proposed as mechanisms through which positive change occurs, though their effectiveness have only begun to be explored. The proposed study will examine the effects of group cohesion in the context of a group CBT treatment on changes in depressive symptoms in biethnic youth. Specifically, this study will analyze self-reports of group cohesion and pre- and post-treatment depression scores of 8- to 14-year old Latina and European-American girls undergoing a CBT treatment for depression. It is hoped that this study will lead to an increased discernment in cultural sensitivity with regards to the delivery of interventions for the treatment of depression.Educational Psycholog