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Research Proposal: Depression in Children & Adolescence - A Cause for Concern?

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Research Proposal: Depression in Children & Adolescence - A Cause for Concern?
Introduction

Unhappiness among children and adolescents seems to be rising, but labeling it as depression and prescribing antidepressants are ineffective and possibly harmful, (Timimi, S (2005), isn't it about time we focus on the underlying reasons? Common misconceptions and responses to hearing that a child is depressed or has depression are, 'but what do they have to be depressed about?'. Just 40 years ago, many physicians doubted the existence of significant depressive disorders in children, primarily because they believed that children lacked the mature psychological and cognitive structure necessary to experience these problems. (www.aafp.org).

The reason why this matter is worthy of an investigation is because it is or perhaps will inevitably become a serious social concern. This I feel is true because aren't children suppose to be the future? If this matter is left un dealt with, what will become of our future? I feel it is very important to start addressing the issues surrounding depression now in order to teach the next generation on how to be resilient against these matters if possible.

I propose to investigate this matter further by looking at the social factors surrounding depression in contemporary Britain. I propose to seek out how this has happened by looking at the ontological aspect of this phenomena, I aim to prove that depression in children and adolescents is a major cause for concern in society. The epistemology of this social concern is also of great value to the research of this study as I intend on finding out why are our children and adolescents depressed? When carrying out research I found many books on the treatment for depression, with a lack about meanings behind it. I intend on investigating the sociological aspects concerned with depression in children and adolescent so that society can begin to understand more of the reality of its existence. Western society's ideas about childhood and child rearing have changed radically in the



Bibliography: Asarnow, J. R., Carlson, G. A., & Guthrie, D. (1987). Coping strategies, self-perception, hopelessness, and perceived family environment in depressed and suicidal children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 361-366. Boseley, S (2003) Children Taking Antidepressants - Guardian 2003 Sep 20: 1 Bryman, A (2001) Social Research Methods - Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chen, X., Rubin, K. H., & Li, B. (1995). Depressed moods in Chinese children: Relations with school performance and family environment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 938-947. Dwivedi, KN ed. (1997) Depression in Children and Adolescents - Whurr Publishers Hankin, B Hammen, C., & Brennan, P. A. (2001). Depressed adolescents of depressed and non depressed mothers: Tests of an interpersonal impairment hypothesis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 284-294. Jenkins, H (1998) Childhood innocence & other modern myths. In - Children 's culture reader. New York University Press. Kelly, G.ed (2002) Issues in Foster Care - Policy, Practice and Research - London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Law, S (1999) Young people 's experiences of mental health services - Time to Listen - Save the Children Lewinsohn, P. M., Gotlib, I. H., & Seeley, J. R. (1997). Depression-related psychosocial variables: Are they specific to depression in adolescents? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106, 365-375. Locke, L.F.ed (2000) Proposals That Work Forth Edition - Sage Publications Newsround BBC1 (13/03/06) - Children suffering with Depression - Programme Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 569-582. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Girgus, J. S. (1994). The emergence of gender differences in depression during adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 424-443. Pellegrini, A (1996) Observing Children in Their Natural worlds: A Methodological Primer - Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Pilgrim, D (2001) A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness: 2nd Edition - Open University Press Rutler, M Smith, D (1995) Psychosocial Disorders in Young People - Academia Europaea: Chichester Seligman, M (1995) The Optimistic Child - Houghton Mifflin Company: New York Schnyer R, (2001) Acupuncture in the Treatment of Depression - A Manuel for Practice and Research - Harcourt Publishers Limited: London Timimi, S (2005) Rethinking Childhood Depression - www.bmjjournals.com Trotter, W (1916) Instincts of the herd in peace and war - Fisher Unwin Publications www.psychdirect.com - Depression in Adolescents Yates, S.J. (2004) Doing Social Science Research - Sage/Open University Press.

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