Effect of Shamiri Layperson-Provided Intervention vs Study Skills Control Intervention for Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescents in Kenya: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Can scalable psychological interventions that invoke simple psychological principles, rather than explicit references to psychopathology, alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms in Kenyan adolescents? In this randomized clinical trial of 413 high school students, Shamiri, a 4-week layperson-delivered group intervention that teaches growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation, appears to significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in symptomatic adolescents compared with a control group, although both groups showed symptom reductions. Effects persisted at 7 months. Simple psychological interventions that focus on positive human attributes rather than psychopathology, are delivered by laypersons, and are developed through multicultural collaboration may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and should be considered for use in low-resource settings.