Supporting the supporters: Developing an online single-session intervention for parents of adolescents with depression.

Introduction

A third of adolescents report depression symptoms, yet many do not get access to formal support, most commonly CBT, until their symptoms become more severe. Parents play a key role in supporting adolescents when they start, yet many do not know how to recognise depression symptoms, how to offer support, or where to seek further help. An online single-session intervention could equip parents with the skills to support their adolescents as a standalone early intervention, or while on a waiting list and in between therapy sessions. To inform the identification of the active ingredient of the intervention, this presentation will provide an overview of two studies: 1) a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis of parents’ experiences with adolescent depression, and 2) a qualitative study exploring how parents look for help online when they become worried about their adolescent’s low mood, and their preferences for the content of a parent-directed single-session intervention.

Methods

For the systematic review (PROSPERO pre-registration: CRD42024527144), five databases were searched for terms relating to parents, adolescent depression, and qualitative studies. Studies were included if they focused on parents’ lived experiences with adolescent depression, and meta-themes were generated using a thematic synthesis. In the qualitative study, 16 UK-based parents of adolescents, of which a third were fathers, completed semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions and think-aloud website reviewing tasks. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Six meta-themes were identified from 25 studies included in the systematic review: 1) How do you know when your adolescent has depression?; 2) Understanding the causes of adolescent depression; 3) Emotional turbulence in parents; 4) Effects on the whole family; 5) Experiences with help-seeking; and 6) Stigma and judgment from others. Preliminary themes from the qualitative study include: 1) Parents seek a tailored experience with online help-seeking; 2) Parents are skeptical about online information; and 3) Trustworthiness helps parents navigate online help-seeking.

Discussion

The two studies show that parents struggle with recognising adolescent depression symptoms, and require more psychoeducation, knowledge on how to suppor their adolescent at home, and seek help online in a way that is personally relevant and trustworthy. The final findings from the two studies will inform two key aspects of the intervention development process: 1) selecting the active ingredient of the intervention to be conveyed to parents; 2) finding out where and how to embed the intervention online once it is developed and tested so that it reaches parents effectively. Next steps for the intervention are the co-design of the intervention prototype with a parent advisory group, and pilot testing it for its acceptability and feasibility.