APA Handbook of Depression: Volume 1: Classification, Co-Occurring Conditions, and Etiological Processes; Volume 2: Minoritized Populations, Lifespan . (APA Handbooks in Psychology Series)

Part of the landmark APA Handbooks in Psychology® Series from the American Psychological Association

This comprehensive two-volume handbook provides an authoritative, robust examination of current information on depression.

Depression is a leading cause of disability, a major contributor to global disease burden, and one of the most commonly presenting problems in mental health and primary care settings. Its pervasive impact on individuals, families, and communities underscores the urgency of advancing understanding and treatment of this complex mental health condition. The APA Handbook of Depression reflects the critical need for a comprehensive resource that highlights advancements, presents up-to-date knowledge, and provides mental health professionals with a robust foundation for clinical practice, research, and education. The 75 chapters in the handbook represent the collective efforts of leaders in the field, spanning diverse disciplines and perspectives, and reflecting a rich tapestry of expertise within depression research and practice. Chapter contributors synthesized the latest research findings and clinical insights into a compendium that contextualizes the breadth and depth of basic and applied research on depression within diverse populations and developmental periods, while also identifying critical directions for future research.

Volume 1 contains four parts focusing on classification, epidemiology, co-occurring conditions, and etiological processes of depression. Part 1 delves into the historical context of depression, diagnostic classification, epidemiological trends, and the burden of co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and trauma-related disorders, among others. Part 2 explores multiple biological contributors to depression, from molecular genetics to brain structure and function to psychophysiology and neuroimmune interactions. Part 2 further delves into behavioral genetics, animal models of depression, and the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in depression. Part 3 examines individual differences and psychological processes, including temperament, attachment, stress reactivity, self-regulation, and reward processing. Part 3 also considers learning and cognition in depression, including attention, interpretation, cognitive control, and memory. Finally, Part 4 covers social and cultural processes in depression, including interpersonal relationships, community, and cultural processes. Part 4 also addresses depression-related stigma and the increasing relevance of technology to depression. In Volume 2, the focus shifts to depression in historically marginalized  populations, depression across the lifespan, and assessment, prevention, and treatment of depression. Part 1 highlights the unique challenges faced by diverse populations and minoritized groups. Part 2 addresses depression across different developmental stages, from early childhood to late life depression, and depression in the peripartum period. Part 3 covers ethical issues in research and practice with depression and also focuses on assessment approaches in relation to depression that include traditional and more modern methods. Finally, Part 4 provides a comprehensive review of prevention and treatment approaches, including culturally sensitive approaches, behavioral and psychological treatments, and pharmacological and neuromodulatory treatments. Part 4 additionally covers depression in primary care settings and the burgeoning literature on technology-facilitated and precision treatment approaches.

Written in clear and accessible language, the chapters are tailored to meet the needs of a broad spectrum within the mental health community. This includes researchers, practitioners, scholars, and students in psychology and related fields such as psychiatry and social work. Whether seeking to stay informed about cutting-edge research, enhance clinical practice, or further academic training, this invaluable resource offers knowledge to support individuals at all stages of their professional development.

Jeremy W. Pettit, PhD, is a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Florida International University, where he is executive director of the Center for Children and Families. His research aims to advance understanding of the etiology and maintenance of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors, and facilitate more effective treatments. That research has produced more than 175 journal articles chapters, and Dr. Pettit has authored award-winning books on depression. His efforts in preventing suicidal behaviors in young people were recognized by the American Association of Suicidology. He has served as executive editor of Behavioral Medicine and associate editor of International Journal of Cognitive Therapy and Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

Thomas M. Olino, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology and neuroscience at Temple University. He is an associate editor for the journal Training and Education in Professional Psychology and served as an associate editor for Assessment and academic editor for PlosOne. Dr. Olino has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, and his research has been supported by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation and National Institute of Mental Health. The focus of his work is on developmental psychopathology, relying on high-risk offspring designs to better understand developmental trajectories of risk, reflected by temperamental, emotional, and neurobiological processes.

Rhonda C. Boyd, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Additionally, she is a researcher at CHOP PolicyLab and practices as a licensed psychologist. She has served as a principal investigator and coinvestigator on multiple federal grants and as consulting editor of the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, among other positions. Visit Dr. Boyd’s faculty page here.

Brian C. Chu, PhD, is professor and past department chair of the Department of Clinical Psychology in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, and founder/director of the Youth Anxiety and Depression Clinic. Dr. Chu’s work focuses on anxiety and mood problems in children and adolescents. He has received grant funding to develop and evaluate behavioral interventions, understand the impact of internalizing problems on families, and extend services to underserved communities. He is an author an editor and a fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Elizabeth P. Hayden, PhD, is a professor of psychology and principal investigator of the Brain and Mind Institute at the University of Western Ontario, where she heads the Lifespan study of Emotion And Personality (LEAP) Lab.  Dr. Hayden’s research takes a developmental psychopathology approach to understanding the biological and contextual pathways to mood dysregulation. She has authored over a hundred peer-reviewed articles and coauthored the Oxford Handbook of Stress and Mental Health (Oxford University Press), and she serves as an associate editor for the journal Psychological Assessment. 

Diego A. Pizzagalli, PhD, serves as founding director of the Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research; the director of the McLean Imaging Center; and the director of research for the Division of Depression and Anxiety at McLean Hospital. He is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and the center director for Silvio O. Conte Center for Basic Translational Mental Health Research. In 2024, he will become the founding director of the Noel Drury, MD Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries at the University of California, Irvine, and a visiting professor at Oxford University. His research aims improve understanding of the psychological, environmental, and neurobiological factors associated with mood disorders, particularly major depression. Dr. Pizzagalli has published over 360 papers and chapters and serves on the editorial boards of 13 journals.