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Adolescents’ Attitudes and Opinions about Depression Treatment

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine adolescent preferences for depression treatment. Adolescents (n = 156) completed a survey that included: their preferences for type of depression treatment and the method of delivering it; their perception of the importance of side effects of depression treatments and a rating of their willingness to seek treatment if they were depressed. A screen for depressive symptoms (CES-D10) was also completed. Adolescents showed higher preference for psychotherapy than antidepressants. Greater severity of depression symptoms, perceived social support for the particular treatment modality, and general willingness to seek treatment predicted greater preference for psychotherapy than for antidepressants. Family doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists were the preferred treatment providers, and adolescents preferred that treatment be delivered in a private office. Weight gain was the most deterring side effect of antidepressants for girls and loss of sex drive for boys. Adolescents’ preference for psychological therapy suggests that broader availability of psychotherapy may enhance help-seeking and compliance in depression treatment in this vulnerable population.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry Summer Studentship, the IWK Health Centre Studentship Fund, and a Canada Research Chair held by Dr. McGrath. The authors are grateful to the staff and students of Memorial Composite High School and research assistant Laura Hambleton for their contributions to the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Kristina L. Bradley & Patrick J. McGrath

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Patrick J. McGrath & Alexa L. Bagnell

  3. Departments of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Patrick J. McGrath & Cyndi L. Brannen

  4. Department of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Cyndi L. Brannen

  5. IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Room 8532, P.O. Box 9700, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Kristina L. Bradley

  6. IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Room K8508, P.O. Box 9700, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Patrick J. McGrath, Cyndi L. Brannen & Alexa L. Bagnell

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  1. Kristina L. Bradley
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  2. Patrick J. McGrath
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  3. Cyndi L. Brannen
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  4. Alexa L. Bagnell
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Correspondence to Kristina L. Bradley.

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Bradley, K.L., McGrath, P.J., Brannen, C.L. et al. Adolescents’ Attitudes and Opinions about Depression Treatment. Community Ment Health J 46, 242–251 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9224-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9224-5

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