Mothers And Children Needed For Depression Study, University Of Pittsburgh

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 15 Jan 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Mothers with and without depression between the ages of 25 and 55 years and children between the ages of nine and 14 years are needed to participate in a research study of depression at the University of Pittsburgh. This study hopes to inform both prevention and treatment for adolescent depression by examining social and neurological aspects of how mothers and children manage their feelings.

Depression is a common problem in adolescence, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 15 to 20 percent. Adolescent depression can have serious long-term consequences, including drug and alcohol abuse, poor academic performance and suicide. Children of depressed parents are three to four times more likely to develop depression during adolescence than those without depressed parents.

The study includes children who are at risk for depression by virtue of having a depressed mother and a control group of children with mothers who have never been depressed. Participation involves up to three visits to lab facilities in Oakland and one telephone call over 18 months. During the study, mothers and children will complete interviews and questionnaires about their moods, feelings and family, and will be videotaped while having discussions. Children also will complete computer tasks while a computer program measures eye changes.

Families will be compensated up to $225 for participating in this study. For more information, please contact Joanna Prout at (412) 383-8132, or by e-mail at proutjt@upmc.edu.

University Of Pittsburgh

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