A randomized controlled trial comparing school-based (Op Volle Kracht) and computerized (SPARX) depression prevention programs with adolescent girls.

In this randomized controlled trial (RCT with 4 conditions, 3 intervention conditions and control group), the effectiveness of school-based ('Op Volle Kracht') and computerized ('SPARX') depression prevention programs will be tested in a Dutch sample of adolescent girls with elevated depressive symptoms. Girls with elevated depressive symptoms are randomly assigned to one of four conditions. The first condition will consist of 8 lessons of 50 minutes at school during or after school time. The second condition consists of seven 30 minute levels of a video game which girls play at home. The third condition consists of both the 8 school-based lessons and the seven levels of the video game. Measurements of primary and secondary outcomes will be conducted in all groups at baseline, immediately after each lesson, three, six and twelve months after the last lesson.

The effectiveness of school-based ('Op Volle Kracht') and computerized ('SPARX') depression prevention programs will be tested in a Dutch sample of adolescent girls with elevated depressive symptoms. The programs will be tested separately and combined. It is expected that the adolescent girls who receive one or both of the interventions will show lower levels of depressive symptoms during posttreatment and follow-up, compared to the control group.

1. Screening (all primary and secondary outcomes);

2. Pretreatment (all primary and secondary outcomes);

3. Immediately after each lesson (Depressive symptoms (RADS-2); Suicidal ideation; Daily stressors);

4. Midtreatment (all primary and secondary outcomes);

5. Posttreatment (all primary and secondary outcomes);

6. Three months after the last lesson (follow-up; all primary and secondary outcomes);

7. Six months after last lesson (all primary and secondary outcomes);

8. Twelve months after last lesson(all primary and secondary outcomes).

Girls with elevated depressive symptoms are randomly assigned to one of four conditions.

1. The first condition, 'Op Volle Kracht', will consist of the first 8 lessons of 50 minutes of the 'Op Volle Kracht' program (including homework assignments), which the girls will receive at their school during or after school time under supervision of a psychologist.

2. In the second condition, ‘SPARX’, girls play one 30 minute level of the ‘SPARX’ video game at home each week, until they have completed all seven levels.

3. The third condition, ‘Op Volle Kracht and SPARX’, consists of both the first 8 lessons of ‘Op Volle Kracht’ (as received by the girls in the first condition) and the seven levels of ‘SPARX’ (as received by the girls in the second condition).

4. Finally, the control condition, will receive an intervention after the completion of the study (either OVK or SPARX), but no intervention during the study. Participating girls in all conditions fill out weekly questionnaires during the programs.