Depression in recently bereaved prepubertal children
Article Abstract:
Bereavement is a normal process for anyone who has lost a loved one, such as a parent. The process can be complicated by depression and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate normal grief from depression. Few studies have examined the bereavement process in preadolescent children who have lost a parent. This study compared depressive symptoms in children who had lost a parent with symptoms in children suffering from depression. A diagnostic interview for depression was conducted on 38 prepubertal children who had recently lost one parent and on 38 children diagnosed with depression. Parents of the children were also interviewed and the parents of the bereaved children were asked for a family history of psychiatric disorders. When both the child and parent reports were used, 37 percent of the bereaved children met the criteria for depression. None of the bereaved children attempted suicide, compared with 42 percent of the depressed children, but 61 percent had suicidal thoughts. There were an average of 7.3 depressive symptoms per depressed child and 3.2 depressive symptoms per bereaved child. The children in each group reported more depressive symptoms than did their parents. Factors associated with depressive symptoms in the bereaved children included more guilt symptoms in older versus younger children, more depressive symptoms when the mother was the surviving parent, more depressive symptoms in children in families with higher socioeconomic backgrounds, and more depressive symptoms when there was a family history of depression. The results indicated that bereaved prepubertal children often suffer from a number of depressive symptoms. Further research is required to examine if these symptoms are related to later development of depression or other problems. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1991
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Dysfunctional attitudes in depressed patients before and after clinical treatment and in normal control subjects
Article Abstract:
A variety of hypotheses have been developed regarding the assessment of depression and the most effective treatments. Some forms of depression are characterized by dysfunctional attitudes, and in these cases patient response to treatment may vary. Maladaptive thinking patterns were examined in 112 patients who were diagnosed with depression. The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, which measures maladaptive thinking patterns that characterize depressed states, was used. Some experts believe that these patterns represent predisposing characteristics; others think that these dysfunctional attitudes accompany the depressed state. The test was administered before treatment and again three to six weeks after treatment; 22 normal control patients were similarly tested and observed. Patients were randomly assigned to an antidepressant drug or a placebo. Prior to treatment, depressed patients had higher scores than the normal control group. After treatment, the overall scores of the depressed group were significantly lower, and some were almost comparable to the normal group. A correlation was observed in which patients with the highest initial scores had the poorest response to treatment. Overall, the alleviation of depression resulted in lower scores on the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, which indicated that dysfunctional attitudes were dependent on mood. These results are consistent with the conclusions of previous studies and give support to the cognitive model of depression. Also, the poorer response to treatment observed in patients with the highest scores suggests that depressed patients with substantial cognitive distortion may require other types of treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1990
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