Innovations in Practice: The Relationship Between Sleep Disturbances, Depression, and Interpersonal Functioning in Treatment for Adolescent Depression

Sleep disturbance is frequently comorbid with depression and sleep complaints are the most common residual symptoms after treatment among adolescents with depression. The present analyses investigated the effect of sleep disturbance in depressed adolescents treated with interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in school-based mental health clinics

Mediators of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents On Outcomes in Latinos: The Role of Peer and Family Interpersonal Functioning

Peer and family interpersonal functioning were examined as mediators of the impact of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents (IPT-A; Mufson, Dorta, Moreau, & Weissman, 2004) on depression and suicidal ideation among Latino youth. Only youth self-identifying as Latino (n = 50) were included in the analyses. The majority were female (86%) with a mean age of 14.58 (SD = 1.91). The current sample was drawn from the intent to treat sample of a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of IPT-A as compared with treatment as usual (TAU; Mufson, Dorta, Wickramaratne et al., 2004). Youth were randomly assigned to receive IPT-A or TAU delivered by school-based mental health clinicians. Assessments, completed at baseline and at Weeks 4, 8, and 12 (or at early termination), included self-report measures of depression and interpersonal functioning as well as clinician-Administered measures of depression. Multilevel modeling indicated that IPT-A led to greater improvement in interpersonal functioning with family and peers. Improved family and peer interpersonal functioning emerged as significant partial mediators of the relationship between IPT-A and depression. Only improved family interpersonal functioning emerged as a significant partial mediator of the relationship between IPT-A and suicidal ideation. However, this indirect effect was small, suggesting that most of the benefit of IPT-A for suicidal ideation appears to proceed through a pathway other than family interpersonal functioning. These results suggest that the impact of IPT-A on depressive symptoms is partially mediated by family and peer interpersonal functioning and contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms of IPT-A

Supporting our Students of Color

A panel discussion about how to help students of color get started in conducting research. Panelists share their personal experiences

Fostering Social-Emotional Resilience Among Latino Youth

National statistics reveal that Latino youth face significant challenges and engage in many risky behaviors that can hinder positive development and well-being, such as attempted suicide, lifetime cocaine use, unprotected sex, and dropping out of school. However, these statistics obscure the fact that many Latino youth are developing well despite exposure to significant adversity. A critical question that lies before researchers, educators, and policy makers is how to improve the health, well-being, and achievement of more Latino youth. This article considers conceptual issues related to resilience and culture, risk, and protective factors relevant to Latinos and the role schools play in promoting resilience. Special attention is paid to the building of child-based resources, such as social-emotional competencies, and social system resources, such as a caring school climate

Innovations in Practice: The Relationship Between Sleep Disturbances, Depression, and Interpersonal Functioning in Treatment for Adolescent Depression

Background: Sleep disturbance is frequently comorbid with depression and sleep complaints are the most common residual symptoms after treatment among adolescents with depression. The present analyses investigated the effect of sleep disturbance in depressed adolescents treated with interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in school-based mental health clinics. Method: Sixty-three adolescents participated in a randomized clinical trial of IPT-A versus TAU for adolescent depression. Participants were diagnosed with a DSM-IV depressive disorder and assessed for symptoms of depression, interpersonal functioning, and sleep disturbance. Measures were assessed at baseline, session 4 and 8 of treatment, and session 12 for postacute treatment follow-up. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to model change in depression, interpersonal functioning, and sleep disturbance. Results: Ongoing sleep disturbance was significantly associated with worse depression scores as rated by clinician (γ = 1.04, SE =.22, p \u3c.001) and self-report (γ = 1.63, SE =.29, p \u3c.001), as well as worse interpersonal functioning across the course of treatment (γ = 0.09, SE =.02, p \u3c.001). Treatment condition did not predict change in sleep disturbance (γ = −0.13, SE =.14, p = ns). Conclusions: For all patients in the study, sleep disturbance was a predictor of depression and interpersonal functioning for depressed adolescents. Sleep disturbance predicted more depression and interpersonal stress across treatments and led to a slower improvement in depression and interpersonal functioning. These data suggest that sleep disturbance should be a target for future treatment development research among depressed adolescents

The Relation Between Descriptive Norms, Suicide Ideation, and Suicide Attempts Among Adolescents

This study examined the relationship between adolescents\u27 beliefs about the prevalence of youth suicide ideation (ideation descriptive norms) and suicide attempts (attempt descriptive norms) with self-reported suicide ideation and attempts. Descriptive norms, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts as well as gender, race/ethnicity, and exposure to family, peer, and others\u27 suicide were assessed in 2,109 students at six suburban New York State high schools. After controlling for demographic variables and exposure to suicide, elevated ideation descriptive norms and attempt descriptive norms were associated with higher rates of suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempts among adolescents. Adolescents who believed suicide ideation and attempts to be more widespread among peers (i.e., elevated ideation and attempt descriptive norms) were more likely to endorse suicide ideation and attempts. Correcting these descriptive norms may be a worthwhile goal for school-based suicide prevention programs

Stigma in Medical Settings as Reported Retrospectively by Women with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) for Their Childhood and Adolescence

Objectives To perform a qualitative study of stigma experienced in medical settings by children and adolescents with congenital genital ambiguity (CGA). Methods 62 women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) of variable severity took part in a qualitative retrospective interview that focused on the impact of CAH and its medical treatment, with an emphasis on childhood and adolescence. Categorization of stigmatization was based on deductive content analysis of the interview transcripts. Results Many women recalled experiencing the genital examinations in childhood and adolescence as adverse, stigmatizing events, leading to avoidance reactions and self-perception as abnormal, particularly when the examinations included groups of trainees. Some women also experienced as adverse the nonverbal and verbal reactions of individual physicians who were unfamiliar with CGA. Conclusions Genital examinations constitute salient events for children and adolescents with CGA. They are easily experienced as strongly stigmatizing, especially when combined with teaching

Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Bullying-Related Anxiety and Depression: Initial Development and Pilot Study

The majority of school-age youth experience some form of bullying, and the consequences can have significant impact on a child\u27s or adolescent\u27s social, emotional, and academic functioning. The majority of anti-bullying initiatives have focused on schoolwide prevention programs aimed to enhance school climate and a school\u27s response to bullying incidences. Few programs address the socio-emotional functioning of youth who are experiencing significant anxiety and mood problems following exposure to bullying. The current paper describes the development of a transdiagnostic behavioral activation and exposure program (Group Behavior Activation Therapy for Bullying) designed to address internalizing problems secondary to bullying. Case descriptions and clinical outcomes are reported from a pilot group of 5 youth (ages 12 to 13). Video clips of group demonstrations are included for illustrative purposes. Attendance was strong and group satisfaction ratings indicated the program was feasible and acceptable to conduct in school settings. Initial outcomes suggest that youth experienced benefits in anxiety and depression diagnoses, symptom outcomes, and functional impairment related to bullying. However, larger controlled evaluations are required to support any conclusions about treatment efficacy