Latino Teen Depression Treatment Study

Identification of Implementation Strategies to Promote Depression Treatment Use Among Latino Adolescents

Despite experiencing higher rates of depressive symptoms (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) and similar rates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2019), Latino adolescents in the U.S. are significantly less likely than their non-Latino White peers to receive treatment for MDD (SAMHSA, 2019). The purpose of this study is to identify a stakeholder-preferred implementation strategy that may improve psychotherapy attendance among Latino adolescents. Latino adolescent-parent dyads and healthcare providers will be recruited from healthcare settings and social media. Focus groups will be conducted with healthcare providers (n=5), and individual interviews will be conducted with Latino adolescents with a diagnosis of depression (n=15) and their parents (n=15).

Inclusion Criteria for Teens:

• Male gender
• Aged 13-17 years
• Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Referred to psychotherapy and/or prescribed antidepressant medications for depression

Exclusion Criteria for Teens:

• Experiencing imminent thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Experiencing acute psychological distress (e.g., uncontrolled crying)

Inclusion Criteria for Parents:

• Parent or legal guardian of teen
• Able to read and speak English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria for Parents:

• Unable to read/speak English or Spanish

Inclusion Criteria for Healthcare Providers:

• Self-identification as regularly providing clinical care to Latino adolescents with depression
• Be in a role in which they can provide or refer patients to depression treatment

Exclusion Criteria for Healthcare Providers

• Unable to provide or refer to depression treatment