Pennsylvania Adolescent Intervention Research Study (PAIRStudy)

Summary

Through the TRIAD Project: Pennsylvania Adolescent Intervention Research Study (PAIRStudy; Project 3a) we aim to test the efficacy of a brief treatment aimed at treating depression and family conflict among a population of adolescents with depression, and thereby reducing the future chance of these adolescents initiating smoking. We will examine Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) for the treatment of depression in comparison with Enhanced Usual Care for Depression (EUCd). Reduction of depression will be measured by a clinically significant reduction of score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Second, we will examine how reduction of family conflict mediates the effect of ABFT on depression. The third aim will be an exploratory look at the potential prevention of the onset of smoking. Specifically, we will examine if reduction of depression and/or reductions in family conflict regardless of treatment type reduces the initiation of smoking or reduces smoking behavior at 52 weeks. These aims will be accomplished by randomizing 240 adolescents to one of two treatment conditions: a) Attachment-Based Family Therapy or b) Enhanced Usual Care for Depression. Patients randomized to the ABFT condition will receive 6-12 weeks of family therapy. Patients enrolled in the EUCd condition will be referred for outpatient psychological services at an agency that fits their geographic and financial needs. Research staff will help patients navigate the referral process. All participating therapists will have carried out the full, manualized treatment with 2-3 pilot cases prior to treating any randomized cases.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Attachment-Based Family Therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Pittsburgh

  collaborator OTHER

• Lehigh Valley Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Pennsylvania Department of Health

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Guy S Diamond, Ph.D. · The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/ University of Pennsylvania

• Donald Schwarz, M.D. · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

• Suzanne A Levy, Ph.D. · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2006-12-31

Completion

2007-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations