Adolescent Depression Outcomes Research Articles

Impact of Family Structure on Adolescent Depression Outcomes in a Collaborative Care Program.

We aimed to investigate the effect of family structure on depression program outcomes for adolescents enrolled in a depression-focused, primary care-based collaborative care program. This was a retrospective study of primary care patients ages 12 to 18 years seen at a Midwestern academic center with data obtained by medical record review. We used logistic regression models to assess the effect of family structure on program graduation and achievement of a single Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Modified for Adolescents (PHQ-9M) score <5 at any time while enrolled. Adolescents were divided into 2 groups, Both Parents in Household (n = 179) and Parents Not Together (n = 161). The Both Parents in Household group had higher rates of graduation (38.0% vs 23.6%, P = .005) and achieving single PHQ-9M scores <5 (64.1% vs 46.2%, P = .002) than the Parents Not Together group. Youth residing with both parents had higher rates of successful outcomes in a depression-focused collaborative care program.

Mothers\u2019 Experiences of Having an Adolescent Child with Depression: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

ObjectivesAdolescence represents a significant period of vulnerability for the development of depression. Whilst research has begun to explore factors associated with the development, maintenance and outcomes of adolescent depression, there is little research investigating this experience from a parental viewpoint. The aim of this study was to explore mothers’ experiences of having an adolescent child with depression.MethodsEight mothers of depressed adolescents were recruited following their child’s clinical assessment at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and participated in semi-structured interviews. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed five interlinked superordinate themes: Finding a reason, something to blame; Living with uncertainty; Feelings of helplessness and frustration; Depression causes change; Hiding own emotions and needs. A key finding across the themes was the emotional distress and sense of uncertainty experienced by the mothers.ConclusionsThe findings highlight avenues for clinical practice and further research including exploring the type and format of information and support that parents would value most, the views of fathers, and more in-depth exploration of the identified themes with parents using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Adolescent-Onset Depression: Are Obesity and Inflammation Developmental Mechanisms or Outcomes?

Depression often has its first onset during adolescence and is associated with obesity. Furthermore, inflammatory processes have been implicated in both depression and obesity, although research amongst adolescents is limited. This review explores associations between depression and obesity, depression and inflammation, and obesity and inflammation from a developmental perspective. The temporal relations between these factors are examined to explore whether obesity and elevated inflammation act as either risk factors for, or outcomes of, adolescent-onset depression. Sex differences in these processes are also summarized. We propose a model whereby increases in sex hormones during puberty increase risk for depression for females, which can lead to obesity, which in turn increases levels of inflammation. Importantly, this model suggests that inflammation and obesity are outcomes of adolescent depression, rather than initial contributing causes. Further research on biological and psychosocial effects of sex hormones is needed, as is longitudinal research with children and adolescents.

Outcome of Adolescent Depression: 6 Months After Treatment

To evaluate the demographic and clinical factors that predicted depression in adolescents at 6 months after treatment. A total of 130 adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) who had been clinically referred for treatment with a DSM-IV major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder or minor depression were treated with either CBT, sertraline, their combination or supportive psychotherapy, in two randomized clinical trials using the same assessment instruments. Assessments in both studies were conducted at initial assessment, three months later at the conclusion of treatment, and at 6-month follow up. The data of these two trials were pooled. The primary outcome measures were the presence of a depressive disorder and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) score at 6-month follow up. At baseline, only the Self Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents (SEQ-DA) predicted depression at 6-month follow up. Individual measures following 3 months of acute treatment that predicted depression at 6-month follow up were SEQ-DA, RADS, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-total score, Global Assessment of Function, adolescent-rated Family Assessment Device General Functioning Subscale and adolescent-rated Visual Analogue Scores of mood states. Clinical variables as reported by the adolescent and identified by the clinician at baseline assessment and following 3 months of treatment predicted depression at 6-month follow up. No demographic variables were predictive of depression at 6-month follow up.

One-year course and predictors of outcome of adolescent depression

One-year course and predictors of outcome of adolescent depression