title: Randomized controlled trial of a family cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for children of depressed parents.
abstract: A family cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for parents with a history of depression and their 9-15-year-old children was compared with a self-study written information condition in a randomized clinical trial (n = 111 families). Outcomes were assessed at postintervention (2 months), after completion of 4 monthly booster sessions (6 months), and at 12-month follow-up. Children were assessed by child reports on depressive symptoms, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems; by parent reports on internalizing and externalizing problems; and by child and parent reports on a standardized diagnostic interview. Parent depressive symptoms and parent episodes of major depression also were assessed. Evidence emerged for significant differences favoring the family group intervention on both child and parent outcomes; strongest effects for child outcomes were found at the 12-month assessment with medium effect sizes on most measures. Implications for the prevention of adverse outcomes in children of depressed parents are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. bruce.compas@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Compas
authors.forename: Rex
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Forehand
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rakow
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Reeslund
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fear
authors.forename: Christina J M
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Colletti
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hardcastle
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Potts
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garai
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coffelt
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.forename: Sonya K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sterba
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome