SARACINO Rebecca M., ROSENFELD Barry, NELSON Christian J.
Journal article citation:
Aging and Mental Health, 20(12), 2016, pp.1230-1242.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This paper reviews the phenomenology of depression in older adults, and individuals diagnosed with cancer.
Method: PsychInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for English-language studies addressing the phenomenology, symptoms, or assessment of depression in older adults and those with cancer.
Results: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental social withdrawal, and not participating in treatment despite ability to do so were identified as potentially important symptoms.
Conclusions: Current DSM criteria may not adequately assess depression in older cancer patients and alternative criteria may be important to inform the understanding and identification of depression in this population. Enhancing diagnostic accuracy of depression is important as both the over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis is accompanied with significant costs. Thus, continued research exploring the phenomenology and identifying effective indicators of depression in older cancer patients is needed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: This paper reviews the phenomenology of depression in older adults, and individuals diagnosed with cancer.
Method: PsychInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for English-language studies addressing the phenomenology, symptoms, or assessment of depression in older adults and those with cancer.
Results: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria that appear to be relevant to both older adults and cancer patients are anhedonia, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, psychomotor retardation/agitation, and loss of energy. Possible alternative criteria that may be important considerations included constructs such as loss of purpose, loneliness, and irritability in older adults. Among cancer patients, tearfulness, social withdrawal, and not participating in treatment despite ability to do so were identified as potentially important symptoms.
Conclusions: Current DSM criteria may not adequately assess depression in older cancer patients and alternative criteria may be important to inform the understanding and identification of depression in this population. Enhancing diagnostic accuracy of depression is important as both the over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis is accompanied with significant costs. Thus, continued research exploring the phenomenology and identifying effective indicators of depression in older cancer patients is needed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
cancer, older people, depression, literature reviews;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(11), 2016, pp.1188-1198.
Publisher:
Wiley
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of music therapy in the management of depression in the elderly.
Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Change in depressive symptoms was measured with various scales. Standardised mean differences were calculated for each therapy–control contrast.
Results: A comprehensive search yielded 2,692 citations; 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis suggests that music therapy plus standard treatment has statistical significance in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults.
Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that music therapy has an effect on reducing depressive symptoms to some extent. However, high-quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of music therapy in the management of depression in the elderly.
Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Change in depressive symptoms was measured with various scales. Standardised mean differences were calculated for each therapy–control contrast.
Results: A comprehensive search yielded 2,692 citations; 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis suggests that music therapy plus standard treatment has statistical significance in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults.
Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that music therapy has an effect on reducing depressive symptoms to some extent. However, high-quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
systematic reviews, older people, music therapy, depression;
British Journal of Social Work, 46(3), 2016, pp.756-772.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Depression is a significant mental health issue that many social workers encounter in their practice. There is great deal of theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning depression that stems from different paradigms. In this paper, the authors argue for the importance of understanding depression from four paradigms, post-positivism, social constructivism, critical theory and Eastern paradigm, and they illuminate how depression would be known and dealt with by these paradigmatic approaches. Given multiple paradigms available in understanding depression, the authors argue that social workers need to have the ability to appreciate and discern these different paradigms. Such ability can help strengthen social work practice. The authors further illustrate an eclectic approach that not only allows social workers to recognise the utilities and limitations of different paradigms, but also enables them to be dynamic, effectively addressing a range of issues when working with a service user who has depression.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Depression is a significant mental health issue that many social workers encounter in their practice. There is great deal of theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning depression that stems from different paradigms. In this paper, the authors argue for the importance of understanding depression from four paradigms, post-positivism, social constructivism, critical theory and Eastern paradigm, and they illuminate how depression would be known and dealt with by these paradigmatic approaches. Given multiple paradigms available in understanding depression, the authors argue that social workers need to have the ability to appreciate and discern these different paradigms. Such ability can help strengthen social work practice. The authors further illustrate an eclectic approach that not only allows social workers to recognise the utilities and limitations of different paradigms, but also enables them to be dynamic, effectively addressing a range of issues when working with a service user who has depression.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health problems, depression, social workers, social work approaches;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(4), 2016, pp.334-339.
Publisher:
Wiley
Objective: Late-life depression (LLD) is a common and debilitating condition among older adults. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has strong empirical support for the treatment of depression in all ages, including in LLD. In teaching patients to identify, monitor, and challenge negative patterns in their thinking, CBT for LLD relies heavily on cognitive processes and, in particular, executive to CBT.
Results: When using three baseline measures of executive functioning that quantify set shifting, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition to predict treatment response, only baseline Wisconsin Card Sort Task performance was associated with a significant drop in depression symptoms after CBT. Specifically, worse performance on the Wisconsin Card Sort Task was associated with better
(Publisher abstract)
Objective: Late-life depression (LLD) is a common and debilitating condition among older adults. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has strong empirical support for the treatment of depression in all ages, including in LLD. In teaching patients to identify, monitor, and challenge negative patterns in their thinking, CBT for LLD relies heavily on cognitive processes and, in particular, executive functioning, such as planning, sequencing, organising, and selectively inhibiting information. It may be that the effectiveness of CBT lies in its ability to train these cognitive areas.
Methods: Participants with LLD completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery before enrolling in CBT. The current study examined the relationship between neuropsychological function prior to treatment and response to CBT.
Results: When using three baseline measures of executive functioning that quantify set shifting, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition to predict treatment response, only baseline Wisconsin Card Sort Task performance was associated with a significant drop in depression symptoms after CBT. Specifically, worse performance on the Wisconsin Card Sort Task was associated with better treatment response.
Conclusions: These results suggest that CBT, which teaches cognitive techniques for improving psychiatric symptoms, may be especially beneficial in LLD if relative weaknesses in specific areas of executive functioning are present.
(Publisher abstract)
Journal of Youth Studies, 19(2), 2016, pp.237-250.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This article reports on findings from a study, which aimed to gain insight into young people's depression as a part of their life course by analysing written accounts of 81 young Finnish people who self-identified as having been depressed. The participants’ accounts were seen as reflecting both their actual life and their narrative interpretations of it in relation to the prevailing normative conceptions regarding youth. The accounts can be grouped into four main story types. The story type referred to as growing up on a sidetrack depicts depression as having its origins in childhood adversities that hinder the realisation of normative goals. Falling off the track depicts how a young person's life can be derailed as a result of experiences that cause or exacerbate depression. In the story missing the track, depression is intertwined with one's experience of failure in meeting normative expectations, whereas the story questioning the track features the problematisation of such expectations. The results underscore the importance of tackling different adverse conditions in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood in a timely fashion, as well as the importance of therapy, counselling and guidance, which help young people to manage difficulties and depression in their life.
(Publisher abstract)
This article reports on findings from a study, which aimed to gain insight into young people's depression as a part of their life course by analysing written accounts of 81 young Finnish people who self-identified as having been depressed. The participants’ accounts were seen as reflecting both their actual life and their narrative interpretations of it in relation to the prevailing normative conceptions regarding youth. The accounts can be grouped into four main story types. The story type referred to as growing up on a sidetrack depicts depression as having its origins in childhood adversities that hinder the realisation of normative goals. Falling off the track depicts how a young person's life can be derailed as a result of experiences that cause or exacerbate depression. In the story missing the track, depression is intertwined with one's experience of failure in meeting normative expectations, whereas the story questioning the track features the problematisation of such expectations. The results underscore the importance of tackling different adverse conditions in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood in a timely fashion, as well as the importance of therapy, counselling and guidance, which help young people to manage difficulties and depression in their life.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
young people, depression, mental health problems, life story work;
Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 9(2/3), 2016, pp.74-84.
Publisher:
Emerald
... as well as the Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (Lejuez et al., 2011), the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT) (Daughters et al., 2008) was developed to meet the unique needs of patients with MDD-SUD comorbidity.
Findings: This paper presents a summary of the theoretical foundations and key components of LETS ACT.
Originality/value: A specific focus on increasing
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Substance use disorders (SUDs) often co-occur with major depressive disorder (MDD), yet treatments targeting this comorbidity are limited, especially in resource-limited settings where individuals with SUDs often receive treatment. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach: Based upon principles of reinforcement and behavioural economic models of substance use, as well as the Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (Lejuez et al., 2011), the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT) (Daughters et al., 2008) was developed to meet the unique needs of patients with MDD-SUD comorbidity.
Findings: This paper presents a summary of the theoretical foundations and key components of LETS ACT.
Originality/value: A specific focus on increasing dissemination via the flexible delivery dependent on patient and treatment setting characteristics is provided throughout.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
substance misuse, depression, therapy and treatment, intervention, dual diagnosis;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(9), 2016, pp.1029-1039.
Publisher:
Wiley
Objectives: Depression is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The present study compared two-year change in cognitive performance between depressed older persons and a non-depressed control group, between remitted and non-remitted patients, and evaluated whether vascular burden at baseline was associated with more cognitive decline in depressed older persons.
Methods: outcomes. In the sample of depressed patients, remission status at 2 years follow-up and baseline vascular burden did not predict cognitive performance at follow-up, after adjustment for baseline cognitive performance, age, sex and education level.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that cognitive deficits in depressed older persons are not just a manifestation of depression. In addition, vascular burden
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: Depression is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The present study compared two-year change in cognitive performance between depressed older persons and a non-depressed control group, between remitted and non-remitted patients, and evaluated whether vascular burden at baseline was associated with more cognitive decline in depressed older persons.
Methods: Depressed patients (n = 378) aged ≥60 were recruited from mental healthcare institutes and general practices, and a non-depressed control group (n = 132) was recruited from general practices. A DSM-IV depressive episode was established with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and processing speed, working memory, verbal memory and interference control were evaluated with three neurocognitive tasks at baseline and 2 years later. A modified Framingham Risk Score, ankle-brachial index, and history of a vascular event defined vascular burden at baseline.
Results: After adjusting for baseline cognitive performance, age, sex, and education level, depressed older persons had worse processing speed and verbal memory scores at follow-up than controls but did not differ in the other two-cognitive outcomes. In the sample of depressed patients, remission status at 2 years follow-up and baseline vascular burden did not predict cognitive performance at follow-up, after adjustment for baseline cognitive performance, age, sex and education level.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that cognitive deficits in depressed older persons are not just a manifestation of depression. In addition, vascular burden was not associated with worse cognitive decline in a sample of depressed older persons.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(5), 2016, pp.395-408.
Publisher:
Wiley
Background: The diagnosis of depression in severe and profound intellectual disability is challenging. Without adequate skills in verbal self-expression, standardized diagnostic criteria cannot be used with confidence. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the assessment and diagnosis of unipolar depression in severe and profound intellectual disability. The review aimed to examine the methods used to assess for depression. The secondary aim was to explore the frequency and symptoms of depression.
Methods: The PRISMA (2009) Checklist for systematic review was followed, and a search of electronic databases was undertaken. Nine studies were included in the qualitative synthesis from over 2000 records identified.
Results: The quality of the studies was assessed and scored, with a wide range of results. Individual studies scored between 2 and 7 of a maximum possible score of 8. The diagnostic tools utilized by each of the studies were assessed and compared.
Conclusions: In terms of the methods used to assess for depression, results were varied. This was due to the heterogeneous nature of the individual study designs. The Aberrant Behaviour Checklist consistently showed promise, in particular when combined with other instruments or clinical examination. Qualitative analysis of the selected studies has shown a wide variation in the quality of primary research in this field, with more required to make firm conclusions regarding the diagnosis, frequency and presentation of depression in severe and profound intellectual disability.
(Publisher abstract)
Background: The diagnosis of depression in severe and profound intellectual disability is challenging. Without adequate skills in verbal self-expression, standardized diagnostic criteria cannot be used with confidence. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the assessment and diagnosis of unipolar depression in severe and profound intellectual disability. The review aimed to examine the methods used to assess for depression. The secondary aim was to explore the frequency and symptoms of depression.
Methods: The PRISMA (2009) Checklist for systematic review was followed, and a search of electronic databases was undertaken. Nine studies were included in the qualitative synthesis from over 2000 records identified.
Results: The quality of the studies was assessed and scored, with a wide range of results. Individual studies scored between 2 and 7 of a maximum possible score of 8. The diagnostic tools utilized by each of the studies were assessed and compared.
Conclusions: In terms of the methods used to assess for depression, results were varied. This was due to the heterogeneous nature of the individual study designs. The Aberrant Behaviour Checklist consistently showed promise, in particular when combined with other instruments or clinical examination. Qualitative analysis of the selected studies has shown a wide variation in the quality of primary research in this field, with more required to make firm conclusions regarding the diagnosis, frequency and presentation of depression in severe and profound intellectual disability.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
severe learning disabilities, systematic reviews, depression, diagnosis, diagnostic tests;
A review of the evidence about access to psychological therapies for people with sight loss who experience depression. Visual impairment is a risk factor for depression among adults. Recent data suggests that among those accessing low vision rehabilitation services as many as 43 percent have significant depressive symptoms while almost 75 percent of these were not being treated for that depression. Findings show that there is a clear association between visual impairment and increased risk of depression;depression in turn adversely affects the rehabilitation outcomes of people with visual impairment. The report argues that rehabilitation programmes require depression-specific interventions to address issues such as lost sources of pleasure and confidence. People with visual impairment who access an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, appear, on average, to present similar levels of depression and anxiety as those without a visual impairment, are equally likely to remain in treatment and equally likely to engage in routine outcome measurement. Interviews with visually impaired people indicate that initiatives to improve recognition of depression and access to services could make better use of support staff, family and carers where the person is less likely to be in contact with a GP or professional. The review concludes that more extensive training may improve recognition of depression in people with sight loss in addition to enhancing a facilitated pathway to psychological therapies.
(Edited publisher abstract)
A review of the evidence about access to psychological therapies for people with sight loss who experience depression. Visual impairment is a risk factor for depression among adults. Recent data suggests that among those accessing low vision rehabilitation services as many as 43 percent have significant depressive symptoms while almost 75 percent of these were not being treated for that depression. Findings show that there is a clear association between visual impairment and increased risk of depression; depression in turn adversely affects the rehabilitation outcomes of people with visual impairment. The report argues that rehabilitation programmes require depression-specific interventions to address issues such as lost sources of pleasure and confidence. People with visual impairment who access an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, appear, on average, to present similar levels of depression and anxiety as those without a visual impairment, are equally likely to remain in treatment and equally likely to engage in routine outcome measurement. Interviews with visually impaired people indicate that initiatives to improve recognition of depression and access to services could make better use of support staff, family and carers where the person is less likely to be in contact with a GP or professional. The review concludes that more extensive training may improve recognition of depression in people with sight loss in addition to enhancing a facilitated pathway to psychological therapies.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
literature reviews, visual impairment, depression, psychotherapy, mental health;
Journal of Social Service Research, 42(3), 2016, pp.295-304.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Dysthymia affects millions of people and has been associated with impaired psychosocial and occupational functioning and poor clinical treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential protective quality of adult attachment dimensions, spirituality, and meaning in life among clients with and without dysthymia in treatment for addiction. Data were obtained from 305 self-report questionnaires administered to clients attending a residential substance abuse treatment centre. Approximately 25% of the sample met criteria for dysthymia. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that purpose and meaning in life and attachment anxiety were the most important protective factors against having dysthymia. These results suggest that mental health professionals may need to integrate these protective factors into the treatment of individuals with dysthymia and substance use disorders, which may enhance treatment outcomes and maximise treatment effectiveness. Future studies should continue to explore protective factors that can assist individuals who experience these comorbid conditions and consider replicating this study using an ethnically diverse sample and other clinical settings to determine the generalisability of the findings.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Dysthymia affects millions of people and has been associated with impaired psychosocial and occupational functioning and poor clinical treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential protective quality of adult attachment dimensions, spirituality, and meaning in life among clients with and without dysthymia in treatment for addiction. Data were obtained from 305 self-report questionnaires administered to clients attending a residential substance abuse treatment centre. Approximately 25% of the sample met criteria for dysthymia. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that purpose and meaning in life and attachment anxiety were the most important protective factors against having dysthymia. These results suggest that mental health professionals may need to integrate these protective factors into the treatment of individuals with dysthymia and substance use disorders, which may enhance treatment outcomes and maximise treatment effectiveness. Future studies should continue to explore protective factors that can assist individuals who experience these comorbid conditions and consider replicating this study using an ethnically diverse sample and other clinical settings to determine the generalisability of the findings.
(Edited publisher abstract)