1-158 - Randomized Controlled Trials for the Treatment and Prevention of Depressive Disorders: Effects on the Family

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Families of children and adolescents who experience mood disorders often are characterized by dysfunctional relationships (e.g., Cowan & Cowan, 2015; Cummings et al., 2002). The proposed symposium will report the results of three different randomized controlled trials (RCT) that aimed to treat or prevent depression in youth. The primary focus is on the impact of these interventions on the family, particularly parental expressed emotion (EE) measured with the five-minute speech sample (FMSS), and on family cohesion.
EE is defined as attitudes of high criticism, hostility, and/or emotional over-involvement in caregivers. High levels of EE predict poorer clinical course, diminished treatment response, and higher rates of relapse in individuals with depressive, anxiety, and bipolar disorders (Peris & Miklowitz, 2015).
Presentation.1 will report the results of an RCT comparing family-focused therapy for adolescents, which is based on research on EE, to brief psychoeducation enhanced care on family functioning in adolescents with bipolar disorder. Presentation.2 compared Family-Focused Treatment for Childhood Depression, which targets parental criticism, family conflict, and support, to individual supportive psychotherapy regarding parental EE and children’s depression. Presentation.3 also measured parental EE, but in the context of an RCT aimed at preventing depression in at-risk youth. Although the intervention was not focused on the family, it nevertheless affected parental criticism, but differently for males and females. Finally, a researcher who recently published a review of parental expressed emotion and youth psychopathology will serve as the Discussant. The Chair then will moderate a general discussion among the panelists and audience.

Sub Unit

• Prevention and Interventions

Chair

• Judy Garber, Vanderbilt University

Discussant

• Tara Peris, UCLA

Individual Presentations

• Enhancing Family Functioning and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Trial - Presenting Author: Lisa O'Donnell, Wayne State University

• Parental Expressed Emotion during Family-Focused Treatment for Childhood Depression: Prediction and Change - Presenting Author: Martha Tompson, Boston University; Non-Presenting Author: Gail Kemp, University of Scranton; Non-Presenting Author: Erin O’Connor, Brown University; Non-Presenting Author: Joan Asarnow, UCLA

• Sex Differences in Effects of a Depression Prevention Program on Parental Criticism and Positive Remarks - Presenting Author: Bridget A Nestor, Vanderbilt University; Non-Presenting Author: Chrystyna Kouros, Southern Methodist University; Non-Presenting Author: Susanna Sutherland, Vanderbilt University; Non-Presenting Author: Meghan E Quinn, Vanderbilt University; Non-Presenting Author: Robin Weersing, San Diego State University; Non-Presenting Author: William R Beardslee, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston; Tracy Gladstone, Wellesley College, Boston; Non-Presenting Author: Greg Clarke, Kaiser Permanente; Non-Presenting Author: Tracy Gladstone, Wellesley; Non-Presenting Author: Steven D Hollon, Vanderbilt University; Non-Presenting Author: Judy Garber, Vanderbilt University