Date of Submission
Summer 8-17-2025
Document Type
Manuscript
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Alicia Kletter
Second Advisor
Dr. Kristen Lombard
Abstract
Depression in high school students is underrecognized because symptoms can present not only as mood issues but also behavioral or academic problems. This integrated review examined literature from 2010-2015 using PsycInfo, ERIC, CINAHL, and PubMed to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted depression screening for students referred for behavioral, academic, or social concerns. Studies meeting inclusion criteria assessed targeted or clinically referred screening methods, with a focus on validated tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A). Findings indicate that targeted screening effectively identifies depressive symptoms in at-risk students and is more feasible in resource-limited schools than universal screening. Implementing targeted screening with existing referral workflows allows schools to allocate resources more efficiently, address disparities in mental health access, and replace disciplinary responses with proactive support. Overall, targeted screening is an effective strategy for improving early detection, timely referral, and equitable mental health care in high school settings.
Recommended Citation
Calub, Joseph, "Targeted Depression Screening for At-Risk High School Students: An Integrated Review" (2025). DNP Qualifying Manuscripts. 104.
https://repository.usfca.edu/dnp_qualifying/104
