Citation

Becker-Weidman EG, Jacobs RH, Reinecke MA, Silva SG, March JS. Behav. Res. Ther. 2010; 48(1): 11-18.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall, 710N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. emilybw@gmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.brat.2009.08.006

PMID

19775677

PMCID

PMC2812620

Abstract

Studies suggest that deficits in social problem-solving may be associated with increased risk of depression and suicidality in children and adolescents. It is unclear, however, which specific dimensions of social problem-solving are related to depression and suicidality among youth. Moreover, rational problem-solving strategies and problem-solving motivation may moderate or predict change in depression and suicidality among children and adolescents receiving treatment. The effect of social problem-solving on acute treatment outcomes were explored in a randomized controlled trial of 439 clinically depressed adolescents enrolled in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). Measures included the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire--Grades 7-9 (SIQ-Jr), and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R). A random coefficients regression model was conducted to examine main and interaction effects of treatment and SPSI-R subscale scores on outcomes during the 12-week acute treatment stage. Negative problem orientation, positive problem orientation, and avoidant problem-solving style were non-specific predictors of depression severity. In terms of suicidality, avoidant problem-solving style and impulsiveness/carelessness style were predictors, whereas negative problem orientation and positive problem orientation were moderators of treatment outcome. Implications of these findings, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Language: en