A teen depression study by psychologist Judy Garber, of Vanderbilt University, and her research team, has revealed that "at-risk" teens, who are taught 'coping skills' to combat negative thinking, can deal better with their problems; thereby helping them reduce the incidence of teen depression.

Published in the June 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study is one of the most-extensive ever to indicate the positive effects of teaching coping strategies for the prevention of depression in "at-risk" adolescents.

The study arrived at the conclusion after observing 316 "at-risk" adolescents, aged between 13-17 years - with at least one parent or caretaker having experienced depression. It compared the results for "at-risk" teens enrolled in a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program, vis-à-vis those who did not attend the program.

After nearly a nine months follow-up period, the study found that teens enrolled in the prevention program - where they underwent weekly and monthly group therapy - showed an 11 percent lower incidence of depression, as compared to the others. Researchers opine the program can improve the lives of adolescents who face the risk of depression.

According to the study's co-author Gregory N. Clarke, PhD, - of Portland, Oregon's Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research - the aim of the program is to "teach them the skills they need to keep unrealistic thinking from snowballing into full-blown depression."