Theses Doctoral

Parental involvement in adolescent depression treatment: A qualitative evaluation of POC adolescents’ and parents’/caregivers’ preferences

Parr, Kayla M.

Disparities in mental health service use among People of Color (POC) adolescents with depression is a serious public health concern. Engaging and retaining POC adolescents in treatment is imperative to improving mental health outcomes. Parents/caregivers play a critical role in POC adolescent engagement in the therapeutic process, yet POC adolescents’ and parents’/caregivers’ preferences for parental participation engagement (PPE) in depression treatment are unknown. The goal of this dissertation was to investigate POC adolescents’ and parents’/caregivers’ preferences for PPE in adolescent depression treatment.

A qualitative approach was used through individual semi-structured interviews with POC adolescents and parents/caregivers. A brief quantitative preferences questionnaire was also administered. Questionnaire data were analyzed via descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed via thematic analysis procedures. Results indicated that teen and parent/caregiver preferences for PPE included: (a) direct parental involvement, (b) indirect parental involvement, and/or (c) limited involvement. The quality of the teen-parent relationship and logistical factors informed teen and parent/caregiver preferences for PPE, with therapists having a key role in influencing these preferences and facilitating the initiation and continuation of PPE.

Factors associated with the quality of the teen-parent relationship included: (a) parent mindsets and behaviors, (b) teen and parent perceptions of adolescent development, and (c) severity of teen symptoms. Themes related to the perceived outcomes of PPE included: (a) improved teen-parent communication, (b) improved parental support behaviors, (c) improved teen-parent connection and trust, (d) negative outcomes, and, (e) treatment retention. Based on these findings, implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
School Psychology
Thesis Advisors
Arora, Prerna
Degree
Ph.D., Columbia University
Published Here
October 18, 2023