Vulnerable Populations
Saivone N. Sanchious, B.A.
Clinical Research Assistant
Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Cibolo, Texas, United States
Title: Exploring Transdiagnostic Remission from Depression: Assessing RDQ Change Scores and Improvement Ratings in Racially Diverse Partial Hospital Patients
Poster Abstract: Conventional mental health research often fails to consider diverse perspectives on symptom improvement data, including depression remission. In our study, we address this gap by employing the Remission from Depression Questionnaire (RDQ), a well-validated patient-reported outcome measure. Through this approach, we explore a broader spectrum of domains relevant to patients' experiences and perceptions of depressive symptoms. By capturing patients' nuanced assessments of their status and treatment effectiveness, we highlight the importance of incorporating patient-centered measures, particularly for minority voices often overlooked in traditional research paradigms. Racially diverse patients within our partial hospital sample (n=499) completed the RDQ upon admission and discharge from our treatment program. At discharge, patients provided a global rating of treatment effectiveness. Our findings reveal significant improvements in each RDQ subscale from admission to discharge. However, it is noteworthy that each racial minority group reported lower improvement scores and RDQ change scores compared to their White counterparts. By recognizing and addressing disparities in symptom improvement and treatment outcomes, we can strive towards more equitable and effective interventions for all individuals affected by depressive symptoms.