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Skills for Adolescent WELLbeing study

a young woman in pink and purple writing at a desk

The Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health has opened an exciting research study for young people who have a parent with a history of depression.

Our research centre has a focus on reducing anxiety and depression in young people. This includes finding ways to prevent depression in young people before it develops.

As part of this work, the Wolfson Centre is running a new study called Skills for Adolescent WELLbeing (SWELL).

The SWELL study involves undertaking a trial of an online group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for young people aged 13-17 years who have mild symptoms of depression at the moment or have experienced depression in the past, and have a parent with a history of depression.

The aim of the study is to examine whether this online group program reduces depression and improves functioning in the young people who receive it.

Who can take part?

Young people aged 13-17 years old who have been diagnosed with depression before, or who have mild symptoms of depression at the moment.

Young people must also live with a parent who has been diagnosed with depression recently or in the past, who is also willing to take part in the study.

What does it involve?

Young people will be randomly allocated to either:

  • An online CBT group to learn skills for supporting wellbeing
  • Continue with the usual treatment they receive

Parents who are depressed at the start of the study will have their depression treatment optimised.

This will involve a personalised 12-week program including treatment from the trial doctors and clinical team.

Questionnaires and interviews will be completed with young people and parents at time points across the study.

How to take part

The research team is looking for parents with a history of depression who also have a child aged 13-17 years old.

If this applies to you and your child, and you are interested in taking part, please complete an expression of interest form.

You can also contact the Wolfson Centre research team via email SWELL@cardiff.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Resources

Download the full Information booklet:

SWELL Information Booklet 2023.pdf

SWELL Information booklet 2023