More than half of parents seeking community mental health care for their children believe that antidepressants could make children want to harm themselves. This is one of multiple findings regarding parents’ perceptions of pediatric antidepressant use, relative to psychotherapy, according to a new study.

The study, which appears in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, was conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and is one of the first to measure parents’ perceptions of the risk and benefits of pediatric antidepressant use. 

“We chose to look at antidepressants because possible adverse effects of these medications have been highlighted recently in both scientific and lay circles, even though these medications are effective in children and adolescents,” said Jack Stevens, PhD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital psychologist and lead author.  “A clear understanding of common parental attitudes is essential for care providers who interact with parents of children and adolescents.” 

To further clarify parental beliefs and preferences regarding child mental health services, 501 parents visiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital mental health centers were asked to complete a questionnaire titled “What Parents Think about Behavioral Health Care for Kids.” The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, treatment history, and attitudes toward psychotherapy. Parents completed a portion about antidepressant medications only if they were concerned that their child was depressed or if their child was taking an antidepressant.

The study resulted in four major findings.

• First, among a group of parents seeking mental health care for their children, counseling was perceived as beneficial and having few risks, whereas antidepressant medications were perceived as both beneficial and risky. 
• Second, African American parents often had less favorable views of antidepressants relative to parents of other ethnicities. They viewed these medications as both less beneficial and more risky.
• Next, a substantial portion of parents reported concerns regarding the safety of antidepressants; many parents perceived antidepressants as precipitating suicidal ideation.
• Finally, many parents expected a higher level of physician monitoring of pediatric antidepressant use than is offered and available in most communities.

“These findings have several clinical implications,” said Dr. Stevens.  “Notably, the need for sound education of families about the benefits and risks of antidepressants and psychotherapy, the need for clinicians to better understand and respond to culturally specific attitudes and concerns, and the need for alternative approaches to supplement routine care in order to fulfill parents’ desired level of service,” said Dr. Stevens.

Stevens J, Wang W, Fan L, Edwards MC, Campo JV, Gardner W. Parental attitudes toward children's use of antidepressants and psychotherapy. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009 Jun;19(3):289-96.

Disclosure:  Dr. Stevens is a shareholder in Wyeth.  The remaining authors have no financial ties or conflicts of interest to disclose.