Authors : Joy I. Anyanwu, Ibiwari Caroline Dike, Bartholomew C. Nwefuru and Osita Victor Ossai
Abstract: The study objective was to investigate the effect of an internet-based Rational Emotive Behaviour Intervention (REBI) on schoolchildren’s depression. The 60 participants were investigated for 12-weeks using REBT depression manual. All participants completed baseline evaluation prior to starting the REBI and at the 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). The statistical tool used for data analysis was ANOVA. The finding showed that there is no significant difference in the baseline measure of depression between schoolchildren in the treatment group and the waitlist controlled group. At 4th week, the result showed a significant reduction of depressive symptoms among school children in the treatment group (14.23±3.89) compared with those in the waitlisted control group (35.26±5.57), F(1.58) = 287.40, p = 0.000. At the 8th week, the result showed more significant reduction of depressive symptoms among school children in the treatment group (11.20±2.35) compared with those in the waitlisted control group (35.23±5.49), F(1.58) = 484.97, p = 0.000. At the 12th week, the result showed significant reduction of depressive symptoms among school children in the treatment group (10.07±2.38) compared with those in the waitlisted control group (35.07±5.26), F(1.58) = 522.639, p = 0.000. Internet-based REBI is an effective intervention for managing depression among schoolchildren. However, further studies are required to ascertain and corroborate the efficacy of internet-based REBI in managing depression among school children.
Joy I. Anyanwu, Ibiwari Caroline Dike, Bartholomew C. Nwefuru and Osita Victor Ossai, 2019. Internet-based Intervention for Depression among Schoolchildren. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 7340-7345.