This program was for youth who were 11 to 13 years old.

Aussie Optimism - Optimistic Thinking Skills (OTS)* + Social Life Skills (SLS)* was a school-based cognitive behavioral program that intended to prevent internalizing problems (i.e., depression and anxiety) by targeting thinking patterns and social behaviors.

*These programs are available separately. Please see individual fact sheets for more information.

A randomized trial of this program found no effects for youth-reported depression or anxiety at posttest, 6- and 18-month follow-up.  Parents of youth in the intervention condition reported significantly lower youth internalizing problems at posttest compared to parents of youth in the control condition; however, this effect was not maintained at either follow-up point.  A pretest/posttest study found that depression improved for youth who began the program with elevated symptoms but worsened for youth with no initial symptoms.  The results of this study must be interpreted cautiously; there was no control group with which to compare results.

This program consisted of two components: OTS and SLS.

OTS addressed thinking patterns, such as negative self-perceptions and pessimistic attribution style (i.e., how experiences are interpreted).  Session topics included the following:

• Becoming aware of and identifying feelings and self-talk, linking thoughts and feelings, understanding thinking styles, generating alternative thoughts, searching for evidence to support one’s thoughts, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and learning to de-catastrophise.

SLS addresses interpersonal risk factors, such as low social support, poor social skills, and friendship difficulties.  Session topics include the following:

• Decision-making, communication skills, assertiveness, negotiation, coping skills, social networks, and relationships with friends and family.

Both components were taught using a combination of presentations; interactive activities, such as role-plays and games; worksheets; and homework activities designed to encourage the use of new skills in the home.

Since 2003, this program was delivered to more than 5,000 youth in over 100 schools in rural and urban areas of Western Australia.

Teachers facilitated this program, and a 2-day training, which included a 1-day workshop for each component (i.e., OTS and SLS), was required and resulted in accreditation. This workshop was $300 per person (i.e., $150 per component) and was located in Australia. Participants received a Teachers' Resource Kit upon completion.

This program is no longer available; however, considerations for implementing a similar program might include obtaining teacher, school administrator, participant, and parent buy-in; and integrating the program into an existing curriculum.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing a program similar to AOP - OTS + SLS, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program consisted of 20-weekly, 1-hour sessions.  There were 10 sessions for OTS and 10 sessions for SLS.

Student and parent booklets were $7.50 each.

To move Aussie Optimism - OTS + SLS to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, a randomized trial should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least six months from program completion with the absence of negative effects.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program is no longer available; however, you may also contact Aussie Optimism by phone +61 8 9266 2465, email Aussie.Optimism@curtin.edu.au or visit https://aussieoptimism.com.au/

Roberts et al. (2010); Swannell, Hand, and Martin (2009); and https://aussieoptimism.com.au/