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Pages:
8 pages/≈2200 words
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Check Instructions
Style:
APA
Subject:
Psychology
Type:
Research Paper
Language:
English (U.S.)
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MS Word
Date:
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Topic:

Understanding Childhood Depression: A Multifaceted Approach

Research Paper Instructions:

Your paper should address the following: PLEASE USE HEADINGS
 Symptom picture – describe the symptoms commonly seen in the disorder you have chosen to research. You should use the clinical terms in describing the symptom where appropriate. (Ex. The term “Avolition” for lack of motivation often seen in depression and schizophrenia). Do not bullet this section. It should be in essay form as with the other sections.
Prevalence rates – What are the current prevalence rates in the US and world for your specific disorder? (2 pt)
 Cultural variables – This is not about prevalence rates which should be addressed in the prevalence rates section. You should discuss two countries in which your disorder is found and if it presents differently or with the same symptom picture as in the US. You should also include subcultures of the US (e.g. African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian American).
AGAIN Not prevalence rates (2 pts.).
 Age of onset and Gender features - What is the average age when symptoms appear that lead to a diagnosis? Is the onset acute or insidious? For Gender features: ex. Bipolar is equally common among females and males. Major depression is diagnosed 2X more often in females than in males in adolescence but equally in childhood (2-11 years old). (1pt.)
 Etiology - Describe the biology and genetics behind the disorder you are researching.
E.g., What neurotransmitter systems and subcortical structures of the brain are affected in disorder you are researching? (Ex. the amygdala, or prefrontal cortex (PFC), etc.). Also, what specific neurocircuitry is implicated, if any (Ex. ADHD has 3)? Be sure to address the psychological/emotional issues associated with this disorder. E.g. expressed emotion (EE) about family relations or coping with peers with either bipolar or schizophrenia. Is this a highly genetic disorder? Does it tend to run in families such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, ADHD, etc.? (2pts.)
 Course - Will it be a lifelong chronic course (e.g., childhood-onset schizophrenia) or episodic in nature (e.g., depression)? Does the presentation change and affect the child/adolescent? (1 pt) If it has a chronic course, you need to present what the symptoms look like in severity and frequency at various times in the child’s or adolescent’s life. And Prognosis - What is the end result you expect to see about the symptom picture? (E.g., What would the symptom picture look like when the person is 70). Would the client still have to be on medication? Would they still exhibit the disorder’s symptoms or would most of the symptoms have abated in older age? (1 pt)
 Current treatment - What is the most effective treatment(s) for your chosen disorder? (Ex. psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral CBT, gestalt therapy, behavioral, psychopharmacological, etc.) Explain the leading underlying theory of this treatment(s) and explain a technique that could be employed in the treatment plan. E.g., cognitive restructuring for major depression). (1pt)
 Differential diagnosis – You should compare and contrast another disorder (ONLY ONE) that is similar and how to differentiate it from the main disorder you have chosen to research. In what ways is it similar, and in what ways is it dissimilar? (E.g., major depression vs. Persistent Depressive Disorder). (1pt)
APA style is encouraged but not required.
*** 8-10 pages of text (one-page for the title page and 1 page or more for references. You can go over two pages of references but still include 8 to 10 pages of text.
The paper should represent your best work.
****Include headings for each section.***
Example: Symptoms, Etiology, Culture, etc.
*** NO abstract for this assignment.
 Must be double spaced (12pt type and Times New Roman)
 *** Must have within-text citations. THIS IS A MUST
 Articles, the DSM-5, books, and online sources are fine (.org more preferable, but .com is OK with discretion ex. no Psychology Today and other such sites).
 THE TEXTBOOK or I ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR YOUR PAPER. Both are considered secondary sources. Try to use empirical sources whenever possible. E.g., Journal of Abnormal
Psychology
NO WIKIPEDIA or PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
NO BULLETS
NO Quotes
NO graphs

Research Paper Sample Content Preview:


Understanding Childhood Depression: A Multifaceted Approach
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
Date
Symptom Picture
Understanding the multifaceted symptoms surrounding depression in children is crucial for its early treatment and prevention. As compared to adults, depression is much more complex for children as their symptoms change in parallel with changes in their physical, cognitive, and emotional behaviors as they grow up (Smith & Carlson, 2020).
Accordingly, one of the most prominent symptoms, as observed in studies, is persistent sadness, which in children can appear as a lasting mood of unhappiness or frequent crying episodes. Studies show that this pervasive sadness often interferes with the child's interest in activities once enjoyed, leading to a noticeable decline in engagement and pleasure. On the other hand, irritability is another critical symptom, which may be more prevalent in children than in adults with depression. Although common in most children, parents and caregivers may see irritability as temper tantrums, hostility towards peers or family members, and frustration over minor issues. However, unlike typical childhood tantrums, these episodes are more frequent, intense, and long-lasting, indicating an underlying depressive disorder (Jones, 2018).
According to Achterberg et al. (2020), the third most common symptom is social withdrawal and isolation. Specifically, children with depression may avoid interaction with peers and family members, preferring solitude. Reports show that this withdrawal is often accompanied by a decline in academic performance and a lack of participation in school activities (Miller, 2019).
Finally, and perhaps the most challenging aspect of childhood depression is avolition, defined as a marked lack of motivation. According to Hasson-Ohayon and Lysaker (2021), this symptom hampers daily functioning, with children showing little interest in schoolwork, hobbies, or social interactions. Avolition can severely impact a child's academic achievement and social development (Johnson et al., 2019).
Given the developmental factors at play, recognizing and diagnosing these symptoms in children can be challenging. Children may not have the verbal skills to articulate their feelings or express their emotional distress through behavioral changes rather than verbal communication (Smith & Carlson, 2020). Thus, in the succeeding sections of this paper, the author would like to focus on an in-depth understanding of these various symptoms that children experience as well as the specific details that cause them.
Prevalence Rates
Another essential aspect to consider in understanding childhood depression is its prevalent rates, as it shows the difference

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