Adolescence: A High-Risk Period for Depression
Adolescence is a time of significant mental health challenges, with depression being a common concern. In Australia, one in seven secondary school students experiences clinical depression.
Preventive Mental Health Interventions
Many schools offer preventive mental health interventions such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychoeducation. However, these methods have often shown limited efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms.
The Role of Achievement Goals
Achievement goals, which guide behaviors, have been identified as a potentially modifiable risk factor for depression in adolescents. Mastery goals focus on developing understanding and skills, while performance goals emphasize outperforming peers.
Mastery Goals and Reduced Depression Risk
The current study, published in ‘The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health,’ examined the association between achievement goals and depression in a large cohort of Australian adolescents. The findings suggest that mastery goals are associated with a reduced risk of depression.
Performance Goals and Increased Depression Risk
In contrast, performance goals, particularly mastery-avoidance and performance-avoidance goals, were associated with an increased risk of depression. These goals emphasize avoiding incompetence or underperforming, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
Implications for Prevention
The findings highlight the importance of promoting mastery goals in school environments. Interventions that emphasize learning and personal growth, rather than peer-based performance comparisons, may be effective in preventing depression among adolescents.
Limitations and Future Research
The study is observational and cannot establish causation. Future research is needed to determine whether interventions that focus on promoting mastery-approach goals at the school level can effectively prevent depression in adolescents.
