Depressive Disorder, Major Depression, Mood Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Depression, Family Therapy, Adolescents
Brief summary
The purpose of this project is to assess the effectiveness of a family-based therapy (Attachment based family therapy-ABFT) for Norwegian adolescents (13-17 years) referred to specialist mental heath clinics.
Detailed description
Depression is a major public health concern among adolescents. Research suggests that it not only is prevalent among adolescents (as many as 20% of adolescents have a depressive episode by the age of 18), but its effects last well into adulthood. Although available studies of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions show promise, there are concerns regarding their effectiveness and possible side effects like increase in suicidal ideation. Family conflict is not only an effect of depression, but also a risk factor for depression. High conflict and dysfunction, have consistently been shown to increase risk for depression. As such, family treatments that target risk and protective factors (e.g., quality of parent-child interaction, parental monitoring) for depression seem promising to reduce depression. The current study is a randomized clinical trail aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a 12-week family based intervention for depressed adolescents (Attachment based family therapy- ABFT). Adolescents referred to specialist mental health hospital in south-west Norway (Stavanger University Hospital) will be randomized to either ABFT or treatment as usual (TAU). Therapists administering both the experimental and control group intervention are regular staff clinicians. Outcome assessments would be carried out at baseline, 6, 12 and 26 weeks by raters blind to the condition of the treatment.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAttachment Based Family therapy (ABFT)
Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is a brief manualized therapy designed exclusively for depressed adolescents and aims at reducing adolescent depression by improving family communication and trust.
Sponsors
The Research Council of Norway
Helse Stavanger HF
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
13 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 13-17 years * Referred to specialist mental health hospital * HAM-D score of \>14 * Meets diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder or depression NOS * Have a parent or guardian willing to participate
Exclusion criteria
* Suicidal and require in-patient care * Low intellectual abilities * Current psychosis * primary caregiver unwilling to participate
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D, 17 items) | Baseline, 6, 12 and 26 weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Beck depression Inventory (BDI-II) | Bi-weekly for 12 weeks |
| Kiddie- SADS (diagnostic interview) | Baseline and 26 weeks |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed