Educating Parents of Adolescents in Southwest Texas on the Signs and Symptoms of Adolescent Depression

Abstract

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project’s primary purpose was to increase parental knowledge of the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression through an evidence-based education presentation discussing the definition of adolescent depression, statistics, signs and symptoms, risk and protective factors, crisis contact information, and websites where the parents can gather more information about adolescent depression and other mental health disorders. Background: Depression is one of the leading mental health disorders among adolescents in Texas and the United States. Improving parental knowledge of adolescent depression plays an influential role in the course of this mental health disorder, helps to decrease the stigma of depression, and increases parental support. Methods: Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, this quality improvement (QI) project used a single-site, one-group convenience sample. This project analyzed the impact of a 45-minute parent education presentation on adolescent depression by comparing the results of pre-and post-education survey responses. Results: The data analysis for this DNP Project found that there was a significant improvement between the pre-education survey responses and the post-education survey responses. The parents who attended the presentation acknowledged the importance of the parent education presentation. Conclusions: The DNP project indicates that parent education on adolescent depression could help to increase their knowledge of the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression. The findings add new insight into the importance of advocating for parent education on adolescent mental health at the Middle/High school level.