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Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Restricted Project: Campus only access

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Loveland, Emily

Abstract

Trends in depression among adolescents and young adults have garnered elevated attention due to rising rates of suicide and suicidal ideation.

This systematic review explores new evidence-based interventions for the treatment of depression in young people ages 14-25. The origin of this public health concern is complex and can be attributed to numerous factors including genetic and developmental factors, lack of proper caregiver attachments, limited access to mental health support, and substandard healthcare and social welfare. Rates of connection and social participation are shrinking and, consequently, social isolation is rising as people have become more digitally connected. This is crucial window of development in young people, as their brains haven’t reached maturity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive functioning. The added complexities of hormonal development and adverse childhood experience can culminate in extreme difficulty with managing distressing thoughts and emotions. Modern mental health research is now revisiting foundational and effective practices and uncovering remarkable findings. Aside from accessibility challenges, traditional therapeutic models meet resistance due to cultural norms and belief systems that expect mental health struggles to be kept private within the family. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong causal effect between self- compassion practice and improved measures of well-being. This extends to improved outcomes among measurements of depressive symptoms, loneliness, and overall life satisfaction. Similarly, modalities such as mindfulness-based therapy are disrupting the urges of the tech dependent mind, and reconnecting young people to an awareness of the present moment. Research exploring the effectiveness of newer interventions is best supported by a systematic review. Thematic analysis, the measurement tool employed by the researcher, was generated to identify themes across the data, including the inclusionary and exclusionary criteria, and reveal the strongest studies. The highest quality studies retrieved from the measurement will culminate in a final synthesis of the research. This review explores solution focused practices presenting practical and actionable skills that are attainable to all.

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