Memory and Executive Functioning in Adolescent Depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Overgeneral memory bias and executive functioning in adolescent depression
IRAS ID
189280
Contact name
Jeni Fisk
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Depression in young people is a serious mental health problem and is associated with increased risk of suicide, substance abuse and depression in adulthood (Tharpar, Collishaw, Pine & Tharpar, 2012). The incidence of depression greatly increases in adolescence (Costello, Erkanli & Angold, 2006) and so this period marks a critical one for studying depression (Hankin et al., 1998).
NICE (NICE, 2015) guidelines for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), however, overall the effectiveness of CBT is moderate at best (Tharpar et al., 2012). This means that for many young people CBT is not effective. Reasons for this are unclear, but may be related to the fact that adolescents are still developing their emotional and cognition capacities.
Autobiographical memory: Depressed adults find it difficult to recall specific detailed memories relating to their own experiences (autobiographical memory) (Brittlebank, Scott, Williams & Ferrier, 1993). Problems with autobiographical memory, in particular overgeneral memories (OGM) are implicated in the development and maintenance of depression. Targeting autobiographical memory may be a useful way to prevent and treat depression (Dagleish & Werner-Seidler, 2014). Research within an adolescent population is very limited.
Executive functioning (EF): EF refers to higher level cognition, including decision making, planning, inhibiting automatic emotional reactions, and problem solving. Executive functioning is impaired during periods of depression (Baune, Fuhr, Air & Hering 2014) and could be causally linked to OGM (Dalgleish et al 2007).
The current research aims to investigate if OGM and EF are impaired in young people who have symptoms of depression and to examine the relationship between OGM, EF and severity of depression. We will measure OGM, EF and severity of depression in young people who have been referred to NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) for depression.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0670
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion