1-161 - Expanding Clinical Outcomes: The Effects of Depression Prevention Programs on Adolescent Psychosocial Functioning

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

There is burgeoning evidence that adolescents participating in depression prevention programs report lower levels of depressive symptoms and are at reduced risk for depressive disorders compared to those receiving no intervention (Merry et al., 2011). There is far less evidence, however, that these interventions lead to improvements in psychosocial functioning. Depression is estimated to be a leading cause of disability worldwide primarily because it interferes with critical areas of functioning (Mathers & Fat, 2008). Depression prevention researchers often highlight the strong link between depression and functional impairment to underscore the need for early intervention and prevention. Therefore, it is incumbent upon prevention researchers to assess the effects on functioning explicitly in addition to evaluating clinical outcomes.

The goal of this symposium is to facilitate a discussion of the current state of evidence of the effects of depression prevention programs on psychosocial functioning. Presenters will share findings from randomized controlled trials of five depression prevention programs. In all cases, there was evidence of intervention effects on at least one domain of functioning. However, questions remain about the consistency, durability, and specificity of intervention effects on functioning outcomes. Discussion will focus on (1) the conceptualization and measurement of psychosocial functioning, (2) potential sources of heterogeneity in functioning effects both within and across trials, (3) competing theoretical models of the relation between depression and functioning (i.e., whether improvements in depression mediate effects on functioning or vice versa), and (4) strategies for enhancing and sustaining functional improvements.

Sub Unit

• Developmental Psychopathology

Chairs

• Steven Brunwasser, Vanderbilt University

• Judy Garber, Vanderbilt University

Individual Presentations

• Depression Prevention Initiative: Changes in Social Adjustment and Social Skills through 6-Month Follow-up - Presenting Author: Jami Young, Rutgers University; Carolyn Spiro, Rutgers University; Micheline Anderson, Rutgers University; Jessica Benas, Rutgers University; Christie Schueler, Rutgers University; Robert Gallop, West Chester University

• Social Adjustment Changes in two Randomized Trials Evaluating Cognitive-Behavioral Indicated Prevention for Adolescent Depression - Presenting Author: Paul Rohde, Oregon Research Institute; Eric Stice, Oregon Research Institute; Heather Shaw, Oregon Research Institute; Jeff M Gau, Oregon Research Institute

• A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Program for the Prevention of Depression in Adolescents on Social Network Size - Presenting Author: Patrick Pössel, 10Charge; Andrea B Horn, University of Zurich; Martin Hautzinger, University of Tübingen

• Effects of a Group Cognitive-Behavioral Depression Prevention Program on Psychosocial Functioning in at-risk Adolescents - Presenting Author: Steven Brunwasser, Vanderbilt University; Judy Garber, Vanderbilt University; V. Robin Weersing, San Diego State University; Steven D. Hollon, Vanderbilt University; David Brent, University of Pittsburgh; Greg Clarke, No Institutional Affiliation; William R Beardslee, Children's Hospital Boston; Frances Lynch, Kaiser Permanente; Tracy Gladstone, Wellesley College - WCW