Long-Term Cross-Over Effects of the Family Check-Up Prevention Program on Child and Adolescent Depression: Integrative Data Analysis of Three Randomized Trials

Arin M. Connell, Kelsey Magee, Elizabeth Stormshak, Thao Ha, Erika Westling, Melvin Wilson, Daniel Shaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined prevention effects of the family check-up (FCU) prevention program on longitudinal changes in youth depression, using harmonized data collected across three prevention trials, including one trial initiated in early childhood and two initiated in early adolescence (total N = 2,322). Method: Data from parent and youth reports of youth depression were harmonized using Moderated Nonlinear Factor Analysis (MNLFA), which provides a robust means to examine differential item functioning (DIF) across subgroups of participants (e.g., age groups, ethnic groups), and creates scale scores based on all available items while accounting for individual differences. Long-term intervention effects were tested using a multi-informant growth model examining changes in depression from baseline to up to 14-year postbaseline. Results: Across trials, significant long-term effects of the FCU on reductions in depression were observed, although effects were found to wane after approximately 10 years. Conclusion: FCU effects on depression across trials were attained with a relatively brief parenting program designed to reduce behavior problems and improve relational functioning that emphasized parental motivation to change while supporting positive parenting strategies. Implications of these results are discussed, along with directions for future work in this area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)773-782
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of consulting and clinical psychology
Volume89
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • depression
  • family check-up
  • integrative data analysis
  • parenting
  • prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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