Effect of Problem Area on Outcomes Among Adolescents Treated With Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression

Catherine Parkhill, Laura Mufson, Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) aims to treat depression by addressing one of four problem areas: grief, role disputes, role transitions, or interpersonal deficits. This study compared the characteristics of adolescents by problem area and evaluated the impact of problem area on outcomes. Methods: Forty adolescents (ages 12–17) participated in a randomized trial of adaptive treatment strategies that included IPT-A. Results: Adolescents with role disputes were younger than adolescents with interpersonal deficits or role transitions and had worse expectations for therapeutic alliance than those in the transitions group. Adolescents with interpersonal deficits had higher attachment avoidance than those in the transitions group. Posttreatment, adolescents in the transitions group had more severe depression and social adjustment problems than those in the deficits group and more social adjustment problems than those in the disputes group. Conclusions: This preliminary study’s findings suggest that differing IPT-A problem areas may affect prognosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)128-132
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychotherapy
Volume76
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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