title: Depression experience journal: a computer-based intervention for families facing childhood depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the feasibility and safety of a computer-based application for families facing childhood depression. The Depression Experience Journal (EJ) is a psychoeducational intervention based on a narrative model involving the sharing of personal stories about childhood depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews assessed Depression EJ feasibility and safety. Thirty-eight primary caretakers of children with depression (one caretaker per patient) used the EJ during a psychiatric hospitalization. Assessment of feasibility and safety was measured before EJ use and 2 to 4 weeks afterward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed that the EJ was safe and useful for decreasing social isolation, increasing hope, increasing understanding of familial feelings about childhood depression, and fostering positive reactions in caretakers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-based interventions hold significant promise in providing a new manner of psychosocial support to families facing child and adolescent psychiatric illnesses.
authors.affiliation: All authors are with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Mass. Electronic address: david.demaso@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: David Ray
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: DeMaso
authors.affiliation: All authors are with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Nicole Eldridge
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: All authors are with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kinnamon
authors.affiliation: All authors are with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Heydrich
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012449:Safety; D012944:Social Support