Positives, Pitfalls and Possibilities: An Exploration of Perspectives from Urban Youth on an Internet-Based Depression Prevention Intervention

Introduction: Depression is increasing among adolescents. Various prevention intervention programs have been implemented to address this growing issue, but few have specifically targeted urban youth.  Chicago Urban Resiliency Building (CURB) is a culturally adapted Internet-based depression prevention program focused on African American and Latino adolescents implemented in a primary care setting. The aim of this study was to explore ways to improve recruitment and retention by conducting focus groups with adolescent African American and Latino youth. We sought to determine specific positive and negative components of CURB as well as to discover how the teens would design their own prevention intervention for depression. Methods: Nine focus groups involved 7-10 participants each with African American and Latino boys and girls ages 13-18 years (N=74).  Positives and negatives of the CURB program were explored, as well as specific questions about the website regarding content and usability. Directed content analysis of the data was conducted, focusing on positives, negatives and possibilities of CURB as a program for them to access in times of sadness.Results:  The category of positive components of the program included the ability to talk to someone as well as website content the teens felt they could relate to, specifically website videos. Negative components included the long waiting period to participate in CURB, the doctor’s office setting, and lengthy text to read online. Program possibilities encompassed many subcategories.  These included having an online, shared space to connect with other teens, implementing the program in schools or community centers, creating a mobile app of CURB, and incorporating interactive features such as more videos and videogames.Conclusions: Findings highlight key aspects to consider when developing or improving a depression prevention program focused on urban youth. The importance of incorporating human connection was demonstrated by teens wanting to have someone to talk to as well as an opportunity to connect with others through a virtual space. Overwhelmingly the teens wanted the program in the form of a mobile App. Increasing the entertainment factor of the site was suggested along with more videos and the incorporation of videogames to make CURB more attractive to teens. Technology offers a unique avenue to reach teens and for it to be used most effectively, researchers must take into account how teens connect with it as well as which factors keep them engaged in order to improve their mental health.