Adolescent depression must be evaluated in the context of precipitants, stressors and academic, social and family functioning. Depression in adolescents can interfere with normal developmental tasks that involve academic, social and family functioning. Family support is partially important in the normal development of young people. The present study investigated the impact of family support among depressed adolescents. There has been increasing emphasis on interpersonal factors in adolescents' depression that contribute to recurrence of depression. There is no single unifying social model of depression but rather various theoretical developments that emphasize interpersonal cognitions and behaviours. Depressed individuals often function poorly in relationships with family members. However, negative attitudes by family members may precipitate relapses. A survey was conducted to explore the impact of family support on depressed adolescents. A. sample of 50 depressed adolescents was randomly selected from Weskoppies Adolescent Unit in Pretoria. There were equal numbers of males and females with ages ranging from 12 to 20 years. The mean age was 15.7 years. The research instruments consisted of the Differential Loneliness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Family Functioning in Adolescents' Questionnaire. The main finding of the study was that the depressed adolescents showed social isolation from family members. Experts say social isolation for depressed patients is distressingly common. However, previous researchers have found that social isolation may allow a depressed person to worsen dramatically without intervention. The study did not support the hypothesis that adolescent with poor family relationship show higher levels of depression than those with good family relationship. This may suggest that family environment has a big impact on adolescent development. It has been reported that depressed children who live in families with high level of chronic conflicts are more likely to have relapses. There were no significant differences between male and female adolescents' level of depression. Factors such as social experiences and psychosocial stressors play an important role in adolescent' depression. Therefore, both male and female adolescents' level of depression depend on psychosocial and cognitive explanations. The findings in the study had several implications: As family relationship had no significant relation with adolescent depression, the findings revealed that family environment was a critical factor in adolescent development. These finding also suggest important guidelines for preventing(adolescent depression. The study also demonstrated the importance of how male and female adolescents deal with stress, as that might lead to depression. The study can also be used as a guide for therapeutic interventions with a depressed adolescent. / (M.Soc.Sc.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2003

The preponderance of female depression is a widespread phenomenon that emerges as early as adolescence. Two diverse lines of psychosocial research were explored in the present study with the aim of helping to explain these gender differences. The first concerned the role of two interpersonal problems, feeling overly responsible for the welfare of others and feeling unassertive in relationships, which have been linked to psychological distress in adolescents (Aube, Fichman, Saltaris, & Koestner, 1997). The second focused on the differential response styles of males and females, rumination and distraction (Nolen-Hooksema, 1987). Results demonstrated that feeling overly responsible for others, and engaging in a ruminative response style were most predictive of psychological distress. As well, gender differences emerged among the older adolescents in psychological distress, feeling too responsible, and in rumination. Overall, the present findings suggested that, between the ages of 16 and 18, females become more likely than males to feel overly responsible for the welfare of others and to adopt a ruminative response style, which appears to make them more vulnerable to psychological distress.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between adolescent parasuicide, depressive illness and associated risk factors. Reports worldwide indicate that suicidal behaviour in this age group has risen 150% over the past 20 years, whilst the rate for suicide in adults and the elderly has remained the same (Deykin et al, 1985; Neiger & Hopkins, 1988; Sudak, Ford & Rushforth, 1984a). In South Africa statistics confirm similar trends with regard to attempted and completed suicide. Statistics reveal that a high local incidence of adolescent suicide attempters are seen at psychiatric units. One pilot study recorded 187 adolescent suicide attempters during a three month period. This study was based on the hypothesis that the incidence of depressive illness in adolescent suicide attempters is higher than is generally accepted and that this condition often goes unrecognised and is misdiagnosed because it manifests differently with acting out behaviour and "masked" symptomatology. A random sample of suicide attempters between the ages of 13 - 25 who presented at C23 (psychiatric emergencies) Groote Schuur Hospital following a suicide attempt were assessed. 100 subjects were seen over a period of three months. The research procedure comprised a comprehensive assessment incorporating a semi-structured interview, self-report and objective rating scales for depression as well as instruments designed to assess the general health of each subject and their level of suicide intent. The depressive inventories used have been validated for use in this age group and were designed to elicit the associated features of adolescent depression. If warranted, a clinical diagnoses was given based on DSM 1V criteria. This diagnosis was substantiated by information from the research instruments which formed part of the assessment process. A high incidence of clinical disorders was diagnosed in the sample (86%). Depressive illness was found to be a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviour with 68% of the subjects suffering from an affective disorder and 21% reporting depressive symptoms. This study shows that the correlation between parasuicide and depressive illness is high enough to suggest that all suicidal behaviour in this age group should be taken seriously as parasuicide in itself is often a reliable indicator of an underlying depressive condition. Additional risk factors for adolescent parasuicide identified in this study correlated well with the findings of similar research studies. Psychiatric co-morbidity, especially substance use (42%) and cluster B personality factors (54%), were high and served to increase an individual's vulnerability to suicide risk. Psychosocial factors such as sexual abuse (28%) and physical abuse (37%) were also identified as high risk factors for adolescent suicidal behaviour. Individuals at risk for depression and suicidal behaviour typically came from broken homes which were disrupted and unsupportive. Family members were frequently abusing alcohol and 67% of the subjects reported the presence of psychiatric illness in the family. The preferred method of suicide attempt was an overdose (90%). These attempts were generally unplanned and impulsive with no disclosure prior to the event. Intent was usually high at the time of the act. It is only through identifying the risk factors specific to the developmental concerns of this age group and acknowledging the role of depressive illness in adolescent suicidal behaviour that effective preventative measures can be devised.

Youth depression is a serious mental health disorder that may have detrimental consequences. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin before the age of 14 (Hagan, Shaw, & Duncan, 2008). Depression in youth is linked to increased morbidity and mortality, along with high-risk behaviors. Mental health and mood disorders are the leading cause of illness and burden among youth (Patel, 2013). Nationally, suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 24. In North Dakota, suicide is the first leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 24 (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2016). Unfortunately, depression remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated; only about 50 percent of youth with depression are diagnosed before they reach adulthood (Zuckerbrot, Cheung, Jensen, Stein, & Laraque, 2007). The purpose of this project was to improve the mental health of youth through increasing universal screening in the primary care setting, and improve the confidence and ability of the primary care provider to diagnose and treat youth depression. Primary care provider education was launched through collaboration with Essentia Health, providing education regarding youth depression focused on universal screening, identification of youth depression, and treatment modalities. To evaluate primary care provider education, a pretest/posttest was completed, along with key stakeholder interviews. Surveys demonstrated an increased intent to screen and increased confidence in identifying and managing youth depression. The interview with key stakeholders was used to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of universal screening and management of youth depression in the primary care setting.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 76-79.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2001. / "Based on data collected from the Oregon Adolescent Depresssion Project (OADP)."--Abstract. Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-84). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.