Family Therapy Can Help Depressed Teens, Parents
Children whose parents are depressed are more at risk for depression themselves. Now two new studies from Vanderbilt University indicate that family treatments for depression may lower a child’s risk.
The first study looked at two groups of adults with depression, and their children ages 9 to 15 years old. One group was assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy as a family unit. The other group used written materials that children and parents read on their own.
Children in the first group had half the incidence of depression compared to children in the second. The greatest benefits occurred a year after participation in the two kinds of therapy. The study appeared in the Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology.
The second study found that cognitive behavioral therapy could help teenagers, but did not necessarily help parents with depression.
“We now have extremely encouraging evidence from two studies conducted at Vanderbilt, that we may be able to reduce the incidence of depression and other mental health problems in children at high risk,” said Prof. Bruce Compas.
The second study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Young people with depression are more likely to do poorly in school and relationships, and they are at higher risk for substance abuse and suicide.
Tags: depression, family, parents, teens, therapy
