The efficacy of the Penn Resilience Program and its adapted versions: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Resilience - individuals’ capacity to efficiently regulate emotional resources - seems to be the key for students’ behavioural ‘immunization’. The aim of this systematic review is to update the evidence regarding the efficiency of the Penn Resilience Program (PRP) and its adapted versions in buffering depression and improving well-being in students aged 11-18 years old. Methods/Design: Following the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of interventions guidelines and adopting the PRISMA guidelines of reporting items, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials will be undertaken, assessing the efficacy of PRP and its adapted versions in enhancing students’ resilience. A search of multiple electronic databases, trials’ registries and ‘grey’ literature will be conducted. Depression is the primary reported outcome. Secondary outcomes will include resilience and other positive indicators. A pooled meta-analysis and potential trials’ sub-group analyses will be conducted, where it is possible. Findings: Preliminary evidences suggest PRP’s effects on outcomes of interest. Discussion: Providing school community with effective interventions may be of particular value for public health services. Keywords: Resilience, Penn Resilience Program (PRP), Randomized Controlled Trials