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Evaluation of a Parenting Intervention (Familia Activa) for Depressed Parents in Chile

Fri, March 22, 10:00 to 11:30am, Baltimore Convention Center, Floor: Level 3, Room 340

Integrative Statement

Introduction: Familia Activa is a cultural adaptation of the Preventive Intervention Program for Depression created by Beardslee and colleagues, a preventive intervention for families with parental depression that has shown sustained benefits in parents' behaviors and attitudes about the illness and a greater understanding of parental depression among children. Familia Activa is a community based, family group intervention that aims to increase communication about family processes leading up to and affected by parent depression, build child coping and efficacy, and enhance parenting competence and skills.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Familia Activa is a feasible, acceptable, and effective intervention in the Chilean population to prevent depression in children of families with depressed parents.

Study Population: Families (n=23) with at least one child between 6–12 years of age, and one parent with actual episode or history of depression were recruited and participated in the intervention. Of these families, 17 completed follow-up assessments 1 and 3 months after the intervention.

Methods: This study is a pilot two-group, single blinded, randomized controlled trial. One group received the intervention and the other one was assigned to a waiting list. The intervention, manuals and materials were adapted to the local culture and setting. The adapted version consisted of 7 sessions, which were held weekly at the families’ homes. Acceptability and satisfaction of preventionists and parents were assessed using questionnaires after each session and a semi-structured interview in the last session. Parents and children assessments were conducted at pre and post intervention, and at 1 and 3-months follow-up. The project was approved by the IRB at University of Chile.

Results: Familia Activa is a feasible, acceptable, and effective intervention to prevent depression in children. In terms of feasibility, 23 families were enrolled and participated in the intervention, and 18 families had a 100% attendance and completed the intervention. Parents reported high satisfaction with the intervention, the materials used and the contents discussed in each session, and semi-structured interviews after the last session revealed that the Familia Activa intervention was acceptable to the families. Parents reported experiencing positive family change throughout the intervention, improved family communication, more emphasis on positive activities and interactions with their children, and a more enriched parenting style. Preventionists also reported high satisfaction with the intervention, and suggested areas of improvement. In terms of effectiveness, maternal depressive symptoms decreased at post-intervention as well as 1 and 3 months later (p<.01). Likewise, mothers showed better parenting skills (p<.01), reflexive skills ( p<.05), and improved family adaptability after the intervention and in the follow-up assessments (p <.05). Children did not report depressive symptoms after the intervention or in the follow-up assessments. There was a significant decrease in children’s behavioral problems at follow-up. The authors have no conflicts of interest related to this project.

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