Browsing by Subject "Depression, Mental--Treatment"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Causal beliefs and treatment preferences for the symptoms of depression among chronically ill African Americans, Latino, and White patients(2007-05) Noël, La Tonya Mayon, 1974-; Pomeroy, Elizabeth, 1955-The focus of the research study is to explore chronically ill African American, Latino, and White patients' causal attributions of symptoms of depression and factors that predict depression care treatment preferences among these groups. Research has demonstrated that perception of illness impacts what treatments a person will deem appropriate for their mental health problems and from whom they will seek treatment. Research also indicates that certain ethnic groups are more likely to seek treatment for their symptoms of depression in the primary care setting. Yet, it is unclear how they actually perceive their symptoms and what best predicts the treatments that they are likely to consider acceptable. A convenient sample of 109 HIV+ adults, 79 diabetic adults, and 3 adults with both conditions were recruited for this study. Participants had to be receiving services for either HIV, diabetes, or both conditions in one of the three central Austin facilities and be a representative from one of three racial/ethnic groups: African Americans, Latino, and White. Differences were found across ethnicity with regard to causal beliefs and treatment preferences for the symptoms of depression both among the HIV and the diabetic subgroups. Latinos in both groups were more likely than Whites to prefer counseling or a single form of treatment over combined treatment methods. Diabetic Latinos were more likely to prefer counseling for symptoms of depression. HIV seropositive individuals who reported the least number of symptoms of physical illness were more likely to attribute their symptoms of depression to stressful life events, whereas those who reported the greatest number of symptoms of physical illness were more likely to attribute their symptoms of depression to their medical illness. Additionally among the HIV subgroup, individuals who reported high stress tended to predict the preferences for treatment provided by a psychiatrist/psychologist and Whites scored highest on this factor. Finally, differences in depression scores across race/ethnicity were also revealed. The utility of assessing a patient's understanding of symptoms of depression in order to determine how personal illness models impact treatment preferences and knowledge of patient's causal attributions can aid medical social workers and physicians in collaborative management of chronic illness and depression are discussed.Item Cognitive-behavioral therapy for depressed girls: a qualitative analysis of the ACTION program(2007) Warchola, Johanna Molnar, 1973-; Stark, Kevin DouglasThis study used a qualitative methodology to examine treatment outcome and mechanisms of change from the perspective of the participants in a group cognitivebehavioral therapy intervention for depressed girls (i.e., the ACTION program). Data were collected from seventeen participants using semi-structured interviews. Seventeen initial and seven follow-up interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. A theoretical model emerged from the data that explained mechanisms of change in relation to treatment outcome and evaluation. Prior to treatment, all participants were diagnosed with a depressive disorder. At post-treatment, approximately 88% of the sample no longer met criteria for depression. Thus, the ACTION program demonstrated a high rate of efficacy. Additionally, all of the participants described treatment as helpful. Level of helpfulness varied from high to low, with most participants rating treatment as very helpful, and depended on the ways in which the intervention produced positive change in the following areas: stressors, stressor management strategies, emotions, cognitions, and social support. Participants evidenced high levels of pre-treatment stressors, particularly in the interpersonal domain, and low levels of social support. Passive, emotion-focused strategies were used to manage these difficulties; however, they were largely ineffective. Not being able to resolve stressors successfully led participants to experience unpleasant emotions and negative ways of thinking. Together, these variables resulted in high levels depression prior to treatment. At post-treatment, most participants experienced several positive changes, including decreased stressors, increased effectiveness of stressor management strategies, elevated mood, and a more positive outlook. These changes were attributed to the acquisition and application of the core treatment components by the majority of participants. Some participants also experienced an increase in social support, which was associated with characteristics of the treatment structure. Thus, the two most important variables in relation to treatment outcome and evaluation were specific mechanisms of change (i.e., treatment components) and non-specific therapeutic factors (i.e., treatment structure). In addition, treatment outcome was also influenced by participant characteristics. Participants that held unrealistic expectations, were not ready for change, or engaged in limited problem-sharing experienced fewer positive changes over the course of treatment.