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Program
Aussie Optimism
Promotes optimistic thinking and life skills in young people to assist them in meeting the challenges and stresses of adolescence
The Aim of the Aussie Optimism program is to promote optimistic thinking and life skills in young people to assist them in meeting the challenges and stresses of adolescence. It can be used for adolescents making their transition to secondary school or for those attending middle school.
Two program components are available that can be run independently:
- Optimistic thinking
- Social Life Skills
A parenting component is also available. Aussie Optimism also contains a parent program with 5 self-directed modules
Target:
Age Group: Ages 10-13
The target group for the Aussie Optimism Program is students at risk of developing depression.
Availability:
Nationwide (WA)
Required Materials:
Manual, workbooks, parent booklet.
Training Required:
Optimistic Thinking 1 day training
Social Life Skills 1 day training
Aussie Optimism Parent and Family Workshop half day training
Cost:
Price details available upon application
Duration:
Aussie Optimism: Optimistic Thinking 10 x1 hour per week
Aussie Optimism: Social Life Skills 10x 1 hour per week.
Facilitators:
Teachers
Evidence of Effectiveness:
This program has shown short term effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, changing pessimistic attributional style and improving classroom behaviour, compared to control groups up to six months after treatment (Jaycox, Reivich, Gillham, & Seligman, 1994). Follow up studies two years after the completion of the program have found that the effects are sustained and depression prevented in children at risk (Gillham, Reivich, Jaycox & Seligman, 1995).
Studies on Aussie Optimism include a randomised trial of 47 grade seven girls (24 treatment, 23 waitlist control) who were about to make their transition to high school. No significant differences was observed at post -test, but at 6 month follow up the treatment group showed fewer depressive symptoms and more positive self-worth as compared to the waitlist control (Roberts & Dziuaweic, 2001).
A study was also conducted across 18 schools with 90 students in the treatment group and a waitlist control of 99 participants. No significant difference in depressive symptoms was found at post-test or six month follow-up (the means had decreased for both groups). A significant difference in anxiety was observed at post- test and 6 month follow-up. Significant group effects at post-test but not follow up were observed for parents reports of childrenÃs internalising and externalising problems compared to parents of control group participants.
Contact Details:
Dr. Clare Roberts
School of Psychology,Curtin University of Technology,
GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845.
Phone: (08) 9266 7992
Fax: (08) 9266 2464
Email: C.Roberts@psychology.curtin.edu.au
Jamie Fenton
Phone: (08) 9266 2757,
E-mail: J.Fenton@psychology.curtin.edu.au
Website: http://www.hlth.curtin.edu.au/powa/
Related Articles:
Quayle, D., Dziurawiec, S., Roberts, C., Kane, R., & Ebsworthy, G. (2001). The effects of an optimism and life skills program on depression in preadolescents. Behaviour Change, 18, 194-203.
Roberts, C., Kane, R, Thomson, H., Bishop, B., & Hart, B. (2003). The prevention of depressive symptoms in rural school children: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(3), 622 - 628.
Roberts, C., Kane, R., Bishop, B., Thomson, H., & Matthews, H. (in press). The Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in Rural School Children: A Follow-up Study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
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This program has been trialled in the following demonstration schools: Girrawheen Senior High School
Melba High School, Canberra
St Michael's Collegiate School, Hobart
Trinity Bay State High School, Cairns, Qld |
