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Aim: Cognitive deficits are common in young people, aged 15-25, with depression. Nevertheless, these symptoms are not routinely addressed in clinical care. This study examined the acceptability, safety, and reported impact on cognitive knowledge and strategy use, of a newly developed fact sheet (Thinking about Thinking Skills in Depression) for young people with depression., Method: Twenty-three participants, aged 15-25 years old (M = 19.6, SD = 3.2), receiving community-based treatment for a depressive disorder were delivered the fact sheet by their case manager and completed pre- and post-assessments conducted 3 weeks apart. Primary outcomes included: acceptability, safety, subjective distress, knowledge of cognition and use of, and confidence in using, cognitive strategies. Exploratory outcomes included depression symptoms, perceived cognitive difficulties, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Case manager perspectives were obtained using an anonymous online survey., Results: Participant experiences of the fact sheet were favourable. Most reported that the amount of content provided was appropriate (91%), looked at the fact sheet again after receiving it (83%), and tried at least one strategy (57%). Participants reported significant improvements in their knowledge of cognitive difficulties and a greater use of, and confidence in using, cognitive strategies. Distress did not change following fact sheet delivery, supporting safety. Perceived improvements in depression symptoms and cognitive deficits, but not self-esteem or self-efficacy, were revealed. Case manager perspectives were also positive., Conclusion: Written fact sheet resources are an acceptable, safe and pragmatic method of delivering information about cognitive difficulties to young people with depression., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: Despite knowing for many decades that depressive psychopathology is common in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES), there is limited knowledge regarding the extent and nature of such psychopathology (degree of comorbidity, caseness, severity) and its demographic, clinical, functional and treatment correlates. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of depressive disorder and caseness, and the pooled mean severity of depressive symptoms, as well as the demographic, illness, functional and treatment correlates of depressive psychopathology in FES., Methods: This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression was prospectively registered (CRD42018084856) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines., Results: Forty studies comprising 4041 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of depressive disorder and caseness was 26.0% (seven samples, N = 855, 95% CI 22.1-30.3) and 43.9% (11 samples, N = 1312, 95% CI 30.3-58.4), respectively. The pooled mean percentage of maximum depressive symptom severity was 25.1 (38 samples, N = 3180, 95% CI 21.49-28.68). Correlates of depressive psychopathology were also found., Conclusions: At least one-quarter of individuals with FES will experience, and therefore require treatment for, a full-threshold depressive disorder. Nearly half will experience levels of depressive symptoms that are severe enough to warrant diagnostic investigation and therefore clinical intervention - regardless of whether they actually fulfil diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder. Depressive psychopathology is prominent in FES, manifesting not only as superimposed comorbidity, but also as an inextricable symptom domain.

Poor vocational engagement is well documented among young people experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP). The aim of the present study was to establish and compare rates of vocational engagement across young people with first-episode psychosis, depression, and borderline personality pathology. A file audit was used to collect vocational data of young people aged 15-25 entering tertiary mental health treatment in 2011. Rates of vocational engagement were similar across groups, indicating that like those with FEP, young people with depression and borderline personality pathology experience impaired vocational engagement and are in need of targeted vocational interventions. Post hoc analysis indicated that that the depression group had significantly more people who were partially vocationally engaged compared with the psychosis group, suggesting that vocational interventions might need to be targeted differently across different diagnostic groups. Future research should explore risk factors for vocational disengagement across diagnostic groups in order to inform intervention development.

Background: Depression is among the most common mental health problems for young people. In adults, depression is associated with neurocognitive deficits that reduce the effectiveness of treatment and impair educational and vocational functioning. Compared to adults, less is known about the neurocognitive functioning of young people with depression, and existing research has reported inconsistent findings., Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the literature on neurocognitive functioning in currently depressed youth aged 12-25 years in comparison to healthy controls., Results: Following a systematic review of the literature, 23 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Poorer performance in the domains of attention (SMD: .50, 95% CI: .18-.83, p = .002), verbal memory (SMD: .78, 95% CI: .50-1.0, p < .001), visual memory (SMD: .65, 95% CI: .30-.99, p < .001), verbal reasoning/knowledge (SMD: .46; 95% CI: .14-.79; p < 0.001) and IQ (SMD: .32; 95% CI: .08-.56; p = 0.01) were identified in depressed youth. Relative weaknesses in processing speed/reaction time and verbal learning were also evident, however, these findings disappeared when the quality of studies was controlled for. Moderator analysis showed a tendency for poorer set-shifting ability in younger depressed participants relative to controls (although non-significant; p = .05). Moderator analysis of medication status showed taking medication was associated with poorer attentional functioning compared to those not taking medication., Conclusion: The findings suggest that currently depressed young people display a range of neurocognitive weaknesses which may impact treatment engagement and outcome. The findings support the need to consider neurocognitive functioning when treating youth with depression.

Aims: To determine how young people with depression rate their neurocognitive functioning during treatment, and whether these ratings are affected by depression severity, age, suicidal ideation and antidepressant status., Methods: Fifty young people (12-25 years) engaged in psychological therapy completed the Neuropsychological Symptoms Self-Report rating their neurocognitive functioning in a range of domains., Results: In two domains, working memory/multitasking and motivation, more than 40% of the sample rated their functioning as improved, since commencing treatment. Ratings of neurocognitive functioning were affected by depression severity and suicidal ideation, particularly in the areas of wakefulness, attention and concentration, working memory/multitasking, and motivation. However, there were few differences related to age or antidepressant status., Conclusions: The Neuropsychological Symptoms Self-Report - a rapid measure of subjective neurocognitive functioning - can provide a snapshot of subjective changes in neurocognitive functioning during treatment for depression. This information may guide treatment approaches., (© 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)