Outcome of Adolescent Depression: 6 Months After Treatment

Objective: To evaluate the demographic and clinical factors that predicted depression in adolescents at 6 months after treatment. Method: A total of 130 adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) who had been clinically referred for treatment with a DSM-IV major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder or minor depression were treated with either CBT, sertraline, their combination or supportive psychotherapy, in two randomized clinical trials using the same assessment instruments. Assessments in both studies were conducted at initial assessment, three months later at the conclusion of treatment, and at 6-month follow up. The data of these two trials were pooled. The primary outcome measures were the presence of a depressive disorder and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) score at 6-month follow up. Results: At baseline, only the Self Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents (SEQ-DA) predicted depression at 6-month follow up. Individual measures following 3 months of acute treatment that predicted depression at 6-month follow up were SEQ-DA, RADS, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-total score, Global Assessment of Function, adolescent-rated Family Assessment Device General Functioning Subscale and adolescent-rated Visual Analogue Scores of mood states. Conclusion: Clinical variables as reported by the adolescent and identified by the clinician at baseline assessment and following 3 months of treatment predicted depression at 6-month follow up. No demographic variables were predictive of depression at 6-month follow up.