Understanding depression in children and adolescents
Ranttila, Junette; Shrestha, Trishna (2011)
Ranttila, Junette
Shrestha, Trishna
Turun ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011120417125
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011120417125
Tiivistelmä
The contents of this thesis were focused in the context of children and adolescents depression. This topic was chosen to help parents and guardians further understand depression in children and adolescents. By understanding and learning to recognize the presence of depression, the possible negative outcomes that this illness brings can be prevented or lessened.
To be able to understand the presence of depression in children and adolescents, varying depressive symptoms experienced by different age groups were identified, including psychopathological symptoms, somatic symptoms and the gender difference symptomology of depression. This thesis also includes the prevalence of depression and the potential risk factors that contributed to the development of depression among children and adolescents. Specified in the risk factors were the genetic and biological vulnerability, environmental factors, negative life events, and the characteristics of the child and adolescent.
Negative consequences may possibly occur if depression remains untreated. These possible negative effects such as impairment of psychological and social functioning that may lead to poor self esteem, poor academic performance, and higher risk of suicide were contained in the thesis. Depression may also affect the family system, parent-child duo, and peer relationships as well.
Possible interventions that are commonly used by professionals in the treatment of depression in children and adolescent were also discussed. The treatments involved were non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic. The non-pharmacologic treatment includes play therapy, psychosocial therapy, family therapy, and cognitive-behaviour therapy while pharmacologic treatment involves the use of anti-depressant medications.
The facts provided in the thesis were taken from several published scientific researched articles; therefore, the target groups that were included were from different conducted research studies. The target groups were children and adolescents, where both boys and girls were included. The information provided by this thesis will be published in Terveysnetti – a webpage provided for the public viewer. The contents will be written in English.
To be able to understand the presence of depression in children and adolescents, varying depressive symptoms experienced by different age groups were identified, including psychopathological symptoms, somatic symptoms and the gender difference symptomology of depression. This thesis also includes the prevalence of depression and the potential risk factors that contributed to the development of depression among children and adolescents. Specified in the risk factors were the genetic and biological vulnerability, environmental factors, negative life events, and the characteristics of the child and adolescent.
Negative consequences may possibly occur if depression remains untreated. These possible negative effects such as impairment of psychological and social functioning that may lead to poor self esteem, poor academic performance, and higher risk of suicide were contained in the thesis. Depression may also affect the family system, parent-child duo, and peer relationships as well.
Possible interventions that are commonly used by professionals in the treatment of depression in children and adolescent were also discussed. The treatments involved were non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic. The non-pharmacologic treatment includes play therapy, psychosocial therapy, family therapy, and cognitive-behaviour therapy while pharmacologic treatment involves the use of anti-depressant medications.
The facts provided in the thesis were taken from several published scientific researched articles; therefore, the target groups that were included were from different conducted research studies. The target groups were children and adolescents, where both boys and girls were included. The information provided by this thesis will be published in Terveysnetti – a webpage provided for the public viewer. The contents will be written in English.