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From Helplessness to Optimism

The Role of Resilience in Treating and Preventing Depression in Youth

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Book cover Handbook of Resilience in Children

Abstract

Some of the most common psychological disorders in children and adolescents are internalizing disorders such as depression and anxiety. Research on the development of depression and anxiety suggests that internalizing disorders can be reduced, even prevented, by promoting more accurate cognitive styles, problem-solving skills, and supportive family relationships. Several cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown promise in treating and preventing depression and anxiety. We review the Penn Resiliency Program as an example of such an intervention. We suggest that most of the skills covered in the Penn Resiliency Program and similar preventive interventions are not specific to depression or anxiety and can be useful for increasing young people’s resiliency more generally. Interventions that teach and reinforce these skills can help children to navigate a variety of difficult situations they are likely to encounter during adolescence and adulthood.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

    Karen Reivich, Jane E. Gillham, Tara M. Chaplin & Martin E. P. Seligman

Authors
  1. Karen Reivich
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  2. Jane E. Gillham
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  3. Tara M. Chaplin
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  4. Martin E. P. Seligman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

    Sam Goldstein

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

    Robert B. Brooks

  3. McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts

    Robert B. Brooks

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Reivich, K., Gillham, J.E., Chaplin, T.M., Seligman, M.E.P. (2005). From Helplessness to Optimism. In: Goldstein, S., Brooks, R.B. (eds) Handbook of Resilience in Children. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48572-9_14

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