Engaging Youth to Reduce Depression and Risky Behaviors: Challenges of Empowerment

Background: Youth in communities with high rates of crime and low rates of collective efficacy are at risk of depression, substance abuse, and other types of delinquency. Objective: This article presents a formative evaluation of an empowerment-oriented program intended to reduce depression and risky behaviors by improving social support, providing adult mentors, and facilitating prosocial action. Methods: Qualitative interviews and observations are used to describe program delivery and a quantitative survey is used to identify correlates of program participation. Findings: Qualitative data describe a systematic process of program engagement that supported individual and group empowerment. The analysis of quantitative survey results identifies an association of program participation with less depression and more self-esteem—with reduced feelings of loneliness as the mechanism of these effects— although without comparable patterns for substance abuse and other risky behaviors. Conclusions: Empowerment-oriented programs that involve young people in supportive peer teams should be developed to help foster constructive social change.