Aproximación a la depresión infantil por parte de psicólogos que trabajan en COSAM de la Región Metropolitana

Abstract

The research analyzes how clinical psychologists working for the Public Health Service, Región Metropolitana, Chile, approach childhood depression. It is a descriptive research, of non-experimental cross-sectional design and with a delibérate sarnple. 19 psychologists of Centros Comunitarios de Salud Mental y Familiar (Community Centers for Mental and Family Health) took part in the research. The information was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed by means of the Content Analysis technique. The results show that these psychologists have a partial theoretical understanding of the phenomenon. They relate this disorder mainly to family dysfunctions and not very containing contexts, making little mention of biological etiology. They mostly give treatment on an individual basis, including the family occasionally. The strengthening of these professional's approach is discussed. © 2009 Sociedad Chilena de Psicología Clínica.