Family Based Treatment of Depressed Adolescents (BudFam)

Family-Based Treatment of Depressed Adolescents: An Empirical Study With Norwegian Adolescents in Specialty Mental Health Care

The purpose of this project is to assess the effectiveness of a family-based therapy (Attachment based family therapy-ABFT) for Norwegian adolescents (13-17 years) referred to specialist mental heath clinics.

Depression is a major public health concern among adolescents. Research suggests that it not only is prevalent among adolescents (as many as 20% of adolescents have a depressive episode by the age of 18), but its effects last well into adulthood. Although available studies of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions show promise, there are concerns regarding their effectiveness and possible side effects like increase in suicidal ideation. Family conflict is not only an effect of depression, but also a risk factor for depression. High conflict and dysfunction, have consistently been shown to increase risk for depression. As such, family treatments that target risk and protective factors (e.g., quality of parent-child interaction, parental monitoring) for depression seem promising to reduce depression. The current study is a randomized clinical trail aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a 12-week family based intervention for depressed adolescents (Attachment based family therapy- ABFT). Adolescents referred to specialist mental health hospital in south-west Norway (Stavanger University Hospital) will be randomized to either ABFT or treatment as usual (TAU). Therapists administering both the experimental and control group intervention are regular staff clinicians. Outcome assessments would be carried out at baseline, 6, 12 and 26 weeks by raters blind to the condition of the treatment.

Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT) ABFT developed by Dr. Guy Diamond and colleagues is a brief, 12 week, manualized family-based intervention.

Treatment as usual (TAU) No attempt is made to standardize TAU. Regular clinical staff will provide mental health services.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is a brief manualized therapy designed exclusively for depressed adolescents and aims at reducing adolescent depression by improving family communication and trust.

Inclusion Criteria: 13-17 years Referred to specialist mental health hospital HAM-D score of >14 Meets diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder or depression NOS Have a parent or guardian willing to participate Exclusion Criteria: Suicidal and require in-patient care Low intellectual abilities Current psychosis primary caregiver unwilling to participate