An exploratory analysis of the impact of family functioning on treatment for depression in adolescents

J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2009 Nov;38(6):814-25. doi: 10.1080/15374410903297148.

Abstract

This article explores aspects of family environment and parent-child conflict that may predict or moderate response to acute treatments among depressed adolescents (N = 439) randomly assigned to fluoxetine, cognitive behavioral therapy, their combination, or placebo. Outcomes were Week 12 scores on measures of depression and global impairment. Of 20 candidate variables, one predictor emerged: Across treatments, adolescents with mothers who reported less parent-child conflict were more likely to benefit than their counterparts. When family functioning moderated outcome, adolescents who endorsed more negative environments were more likely to benefit from fluoxetine. Similarly, when moderating effects were seen on cognitive behavioral therapy conditions, they were in the direction of being less effective among teens reporting poorer family environments.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Research Design
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Social Environment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine