A multi-level mental health intervention using Bronfenbrenner’s theory and PRECEDE-PROCEED to improve adolescent help-seeking and life satisfaction

Schools require well-designed mental health education programs to address adolescent hesitation in help-seeking. This mixed-methods study evaluated a promotion program integrating Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological theory into the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to improve help-seeking behaviors and life satisfaction among Iranian female adolescents. Following qualitative focus groups to identify barriers, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with 174 high school girls aged 15–17 (intervention = 86; control = 88).

The intervention group completed a six-session educational program. Data analysis using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) revealed significant overall Group × Time interactions across all outcome variables (p