Family Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Preventing Depression in Children

Depression is a serious condition that can affect a person's work, relationships, and quality of life. Studies have shown that children of depressed parents are at a higher risk for developing depression than those whose parents have not experienced depression. Safe and effective treatments that can help prevent children of depressed parents from becoming depressed are needed. This study will compare CBT to depression education to determine which is more effective in preventing depression in the children of depressed parents.

Families will be randomly assigned to receive weekly sessions of either CBT or depression education for 12 weeks. Parents in the CBT group will be taught skills to more effectively raise their children and to better manage their depressive symptoms; their children will be taught skills to cope with the stress of their parents' depression. Families in the education group will be informed about the ways that depression can affect individuals with depression and their families.

Study visits will occur at study entry and at Week 12. Several follow-up visits will occur for up to 2 years after the interventional part of the study. At each visit, a clinician will make direct observations of the depressed parent's interaction with his or her children. In addition, families will be interviewed and will complete questionnaires about the parent's depressive symptoms and family interaction.

Inclusion criteria

for Participating Families:

• Families with at least one parent with a history of depression during the life of his or her child
• Families with at least one child between the age of 10 and 15
• Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent for participating children

Exclusion criteria

for All Participants:

• Parent with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
• Child with conduct disorder or pervasive developmental disorder