Outcome studies of family therapy in child and adolescent depression

There is surprisingly little good-quality evidence for the effectiveness of family systemic interventions with child and adolescent depression given the prevalence of depression and the demonstrated association with a range of family factors. What studies there are suggest the possibility of family therapy being an effective intervention but more research is needed before firm conclusions may be drawn. Family interventions may be more effective in children than in adolescents and where other family members are depressed. It is possible that family interventions continue to bring about improvement in symptoms after cessation of treatment. What research there is evaluates older structural models of therapy: there is a real need for more evaluation of newer models of practice.