The detection of major and minor depression in children and adolescents was evaluated in an outpatient sample of 113 children employing the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (both child and parent versions) and the K-SADS interview. Differences between depressed and nondepressed groups, those with major or minor depression, and depressed children compared with those comorbid for anxiety, were examined. Our findings support the validity of the MFQ as a screening instrument for major and minor depression in a population with a high proportion of depressed cases. High agreement between parent and child ratings was found, with cognitive items being the best predictors of depression.

Children with the syndrome of disorders of attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) invariably fill diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and commonly have symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders. This study estimates the rate of autistic symptoms in a sample of children with ADHD by using the parent-rated Autism Criteria Checklist. A high proportion of parents (between 65-80%) reported significant difficulties in social interaction (particularly in empathy and peer relationships), and communication (particularly in imaginative ability, nonverbal communication and maintaining conversation). The nature and relationship between ADHD and pervasive developmental disorders is considered, as well as implications for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

No abstract

157-85. 21 Reynolds WM, Coats KI. A comparison of cognitive-behavioural therapy and relaxation training for the treatment of depression in adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol 1986;54:653-60. 22 Stark KD, Reynolds WM, Kaslow N. A comparison of the relative efficacy of self-control therapy and a behavioral problem-solving therapy for depression in children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 1987;15:91-113. 23 Liddle B, Spence SH. Cognitive-behaviour therapy with depressed primary school children: a cautionary note. Beh Psychotherapy 1990;18:85-102. 24 Kahn JS, Kehle TJ, Jenson WR, Clark E. Comparison of cognitive-behavioral, relaxation, and self-modelling interventions for depression among middle-school students. School Psychol Rev 1990;2:196-211. 25 King CA, Kirschenbaum DS. An experimental evaluation of a school-based program for children at risk: Wisconsin early intervention. J Comm Psychol 1990;18:167-77. 26 Kellam SG, Werthamer-Larsson L, Dolan LJ, Hendricks Brown C, Mayer LS, Rebok GW, et al. Developmental epidemiologically based preventive trials: baseline modeling of early target behaviors and depressive symptoms. Am J Comm Psychol 1991;19:563-84. 27 Marcotte D, Baron P. L'efficacite d'une strategie d'intervention emotivo-rationnelle aupres d'adolescents depressifs du milieu scolaire. Can J Counselling 1993;27:77-92. 28 Clarke GN, Hawkins W, Murphy M, Sheeber L. School-based primary prevention of depressive symptomatology in adolescents. Findings from two studies. J Adolesc Res 1993;8:183-204. 29 Clarke GN, Hawkins W, Murphy M, Sheeber LB, Lewinsohn PM, Seeley JR. Targeted prevention of unipolar depressive disorder in an at-risk sample of high school adolescents: a randomized trial of a group cogni-tive intervention. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1995;34:312-21. 30 Stark KD. Childhood depression: school-based intervention. New York: Guilford Press, 1990. 31 Weisz JR, Thurber CA, Sweeney L, Proffitt VD, LeGagnoux GL. Brief treatment of mild-to-moderate child depression using primary and secondary control enhancement training. J Consult Clin Psychol 1997;65:703-7. 32 Lewinsohn PM, Clarke GN, Hops H, Andrews J. Cognitive-behavioural treatment for depressed adolescents. Beh Ther 1990;21:385-401. 33 Reed MK. Social skills training to reduce depression in adolescents. Adolescence 1994;29:293-302. 34 Lewinsohn P, Clarke GN, Rowhde P, Hops H, Seeley J. A course in coping: a cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment of adolescent depression. In: Hibbs ED, Jensen PS, eds. Psychosocial treatments for child and adolescent disorders. Washington DC: Americam Psychiatric Association , 1997:109-35. 35 Wood AJ, Harrington RC, Moore A. Controlled trial of a brief cognitive-behavioural intervention in adolescent patients with depressive disorders. et al. A clinical psychotherapy trial for adolescent depression comparing cogni-tive, family, and supportive treatments. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1997;54:877-85. 38 Chalmers TC, Smith H, Blackburn B, Silverman B, Schroeder B, Reitman D, et al. A method for assessing the quality of a randomiz...

Fifty-four children and adolescents (age 8-17) were assessed two years after a clinical intervention trial of cognitive-behavioural vs. non-focused treatment for depression. Eleven (20.4%) subjects fulfilled criteria for depression, while 21 (38.9%) reported significant depressive symptoms during the previous year. Seventeen young people (31.5%) had a psychiatric disorder (including depression). Overall, the sample maintained the improvement since the termination of treatment, without detecting specific treatment effects. Presence of depression at two-year follow-up was best predicted by self-esteem ratings before and after treatment, and co-morbidity at post-treatment. Depression in young life carries a high risk of recurrence, despite initial remission. Continuation or preventative treatment for young people at risk of relapse needs development and evaluation.