Abstract
This chapter reviews information about co-occurring anxiety and depression. There is a genetic predisposition for both of these mental health problems. Learning and parental behaviors also can influence the development of these disorders. A focus is to discuss treatment of symptoms to improve child functioning. Cognitive-behavioral techniques, including reframing negative thoughts with more positive ones and positive self-talk, can be helpful intervention techniques. Involvement in more social activities and graded exposure to overcome fears may be other interventions. Parental involvement in teaching new ways of thinking and acting may improve the success of treatment. School-based prevention programs are also reviewed. A case study involving peer bullying and depression for an anxious youth is presented. Interventions included using relaxation, an anxiety hierarchy, improving social involvement, and enhancing family communication.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Anstiss, D., & Davies, A. (2015). ‘Reach Out, Rise Up’: The efficacy of text messaging in an intervention package for anxiety and depression severity in young people. Children and Youth Services Review, 58, 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.09.011
Barrett, P. M. (2004a). FRIENDS for life: Group leader’s manual for children. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Academic Press.
Barrett, P. M. (2004b). FRIENDS for Life: Workbook for children. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Academic Press.
Chu, B. C., Colognori, D., Weissman, A. S., & Bannon, K. (2009). An initial description and pilot of group behavioral activation therapy for anxious and depressed youth. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16(4), 408–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.04.003
Chu, B. C., Crocco, S. T., Esseling, P., Areizaga, M. J., Lindner, A. M., & Skriner, L. C. (2016). Transdiagnostic group behavioral activation and exposure therapy for youth anxiety and depression: Initial randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 76, 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.11.005
Chu, B. C., & Harrison, T. L. (2007). Disorder-specific effects of CBT for anxious and depressed youth: A meta-analysis of candidate mediators of change. Child Clinical and Family Psychology Review, 10, 352–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-007-0028-2
Cohen, J. R., Young, J. F., Gibb, B. E., Hankin, B. L., & Abela, J. R. Z. (2014). Why are anxiety and depressive symptoms comorbid in youth? A multi-wave longitudinal examination of competing etiological models. Journal of Affective Disorders, 161, 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.042
Cummings, C. M., Caporino, N. E., & Kendall, P. C. (2014). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: 20 years after. Psychological Bulletin, 140(3), 816–845. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034733
Dimidjian, S., Barrera, M., Jr., Martell, C., Muñoz, R. F., & Lewinsohn, P. M. (2011). The origins and current status of behavioral activation treatments for depression. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 1–38. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104535
Ehrenreich-May, J., & Chu, B. C. (Eds.). (2014). Transdiagnostic mechanisms and treatment for youth psychopathology. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Fristad, M. A., Ackerman, J. P., & Nick, E. A. (2018). Adaptation of Multifamily Psychoeducational Psychotherapy (MF-PEP) for adolescents with mood disorders: Preliminary findings. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 3(4), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2018.1509031
Fristad, M. A., Verducci, J. S., Walters, K., & Young, M. E. (2009). Impact of Multifamily Psychoeducational Psychotherapy in treating children aged 8 to 12 years with mood disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66(9), 1013–1021. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.112
Garber, J., & Weersing, V. R. (2010). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in youth: Implications for treatment and depression. Clinical Psychology, 17(4), 293–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2010.01221.x
Iizuka, C. A., Barrett, P. M., Gillies, R., Cook, C. R., & Marinovic, W. (2015). Preliminary evaluation of the FRIENDS for Life Program on Students’ and Teachers’ Emotional States for a school in a low socio-economic status area. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 40(3). Downloaded December 31, 2018, from https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2014v40n3.1.
Jacobson, N. S., Martell, C. R., & Dimidjian, S. (2001). Behavioral activation treatment for depression: Returning to contextual roots. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8(3), 255–270. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinpsy.8.3.255
Kendall, P. C., Stark, K. D., Martinsen, K., O’Neil, K. A., & Arora, P. (2013). EMOTION: “Coping Kids” managing anxiety and depression; Group leaders manual. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing. (133 pages). ISBN: 978-1-888805-46-8.
Kertz, S. J., Sylvester, C., Tillman, R., & Luby, J. L. (2018). Latent class profiles of anxiety symptom trajectories from preschool through school age. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 48(2), 316–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2017.1295380
Kösters, M. P., Chinapaw, M. J. M., Zwaanswijk, M., van der Wal, M. F., & Koot, H. M. (2015). Indicated prevention of childhood anxiety and depression: Results from a practice-based study up to 12 months after intervention. American Journal of Public Health, 105(10), 2005–2013. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302742
Martinsen, K. D. (2018). Prevention of anxiety and depression in school children: The development and testing of the new transdiagnostic EMOTION intervention. Dissertation at the University of Oslo, ISSN 1564-3991. Downloaded December 15, 2018, from http:urn.nb.no/URN;NBN:no-63798.
Martinsen, K. D., Kendall, P. C., Stark, K., & Neumer, S. P. (2016). Prevention of anxiety and depression in children: Acceptability and feasibility of the transdiagnostic EMOTION Program. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 23(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.06.005
Piqueras, J. A., Martín-Vivar, M., Sandin, B., San Luis, C., & Pineda, D. (2017). The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale: A systematic review and reliability generalization meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 218, 17 pages. Downloaded December 15, 2018 from https://doi.org/10.1016/j/jad.2017.04.022
Rimm, D. C., & Masters, J. C. (1979). Behavior therapy: Techniques and empirical findings (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Academic Press.
Rodriguez, K., Kendall, P. C., Stark, K., & Martinsen, K. (2013). Coping kids’ workbook. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-888805-47-5.
Routh, D. K., Schroeder, C. S., & Koocher, G. P. (1983). Psychology and primary health care for children. American Psychologist, 38(1), 95–98. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.38.1.95
Stark, K. D., Martinsen, K., Rodriguez, K., Kendall, P. C., & Arora, P. (2013). Group leaders manual for parent meetings Emotion: “Coping Kids” managing anxiety and depression. Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-888805-50-5.
Weersing, V. R., Brent, D. A., Rozenman, M. S., Gonzalez, A., Jeffreys, M., Dickerson, J. F., … Iyengar, S. (2017). Brief behavioral therapy for pediatric anxiety and depression in primary care. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(6), 571–578. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0429
Weersing, V. R., Gonzalez, A., Campo, J. V., & Lucas, A. N. (2008). Brief behavioral therapy for pediatric anxiety and depression: Piloting an integrated treatment approach. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 15, 126–139.
Weisz, J. R. (2000). Agenda for child and adolescent psychotherapy research: On the need to put science into practice. Archives of General Psychiatry, 57, 837–838. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.57.9.837
Werner-Seidler, A., Perry, Y., Calear, A. L., Newby, J. M., & Christensen, H. (2017). School-based depression and anxiety prevention programs for young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 51, 30–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.005
Wolk, C. B., Beidas, R. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for child anxiety confers long-term protection from suicidality. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(3), 175–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2014.12.004
Yap, M. B. H., Pilkington, P. D., & Ryan, S. M. (2014). Parental factors associated with depression and anxiety in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 156, 8–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.11.007
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nabors, L. (2020). Depression and Anxiety in Children. In: Anxiety Management in Children with Mental and Physical Health Problems. Springer Series on Child and Family Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35606-4_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35606-4_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-35605-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-35606-4
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)