Citation

Eskin M, Ertekin K, Demir H. Cognit. Ther. Res. 2008; 32(2): 227-245.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10608-007-9172-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Short-term and structured cognitive behavioral problem-solving therapy (PST) is a developmentally relevant mode of action for the treatment of emotional problems in young people. This study aimed at testing the efficacy of a problem-solving therapy in treating depression and suicide potential in adolescents and young adults. A total of 46 self-referred high school and university students who were randomly assigned to a problem-solving therapy (n = 27) and a waiting list control (n = 19) conditions completed a controlled cognitive behavioral problem-solving treatment trial. Participants were administered the measures of depression, suicide potential, problem solving, self-esteem and assertiveness. Twenty-two of the 27 participants from the PST condition could be reached after 12-months for follow-up. Participants completed depression and problem-solving measures at follow-up.

RESULTS showed that post-treatment depression and suicide risk scores of participants within the PST condition decreased significantly compared to the pre-treatment scores but post-waiting and pre-waiting depression and suicide risk scores of participants within the WLC condition were unchanged. Likewise, post-treatment self-esteem and assertiveness scores of participants within the PST condition increased significantly compared to the pre-treatment scores while post-waiting and pre-waiting self-esteem and assertiveness scores of participants within the WLC condition were unchanged. At post-treatment, 77.8% of the participants in the PST but only 15.8% of those in the WLC condition achieved full or partial recovery according to BDI scores. Similarly, 96.3% of participants in the PST but only 21.1% of those in the WLC condition achieved full or partial recovery according to HDRS scores. The improvements were maintained at 12-months follow-up. Therefore, it is concluded that problem-solving therapy should be considered as a viable option for the treatment of depression and suicide potential in adolescents and young adults. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; Adolescent; Depression; suicide; Suicide; female; male; randomized controlled trial; major depression; clinical trial; Young adult; risk factor; article; major clinical study; controlled study; hospital admission; controlled clinical trial; cognitive therapy; problem solving; follow up; self esteem; Efficacy; Follow-up; assertiveness; university student; high school student; Problem-solving therapy