Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents (IPT-A) is designed to treat adolescents with depressive disorders. IPT-A is an adaptation of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depressed adults (Weissman, et al. Manual).
In IPT-A, therapists focus on the reciprocal relationship between mood and relationships. Therapists also focus on the impact on depressive symptoms. IPT-A aims to help adolescents identify their feelings and understand how interpersonal and environmental factors impact their mood, strengthen communication and problem-solving skills, improve interpersonal skills and relationships, and manage or decrease depressive symptoms. IPT-A is an individual treatment, however, therapists might also meet with parents or guardians for 1-3 sessions as needed.
IPT-A is time-limited and includes three phases. During the initial phase, the therapist provides psychoeducation to the adolescent and parents about depression and explains IPT-A treatment goals. The therapist and adolescent also discuss the adolescent’s most important relationships to identify strengths and problems in their communication and problem solving skills. The therapist and adolescent also co-develop a “treatment contract” that clearly states an area of focus, goals, and expectations for treatment. During the middle phase, the therapist and adolescent explore the area of focus in greater depth. The therapist teaches the adolescent communication skills and problem-solving strategies to help them better navigate interpersonal situations. During the termination phase, the therapist and adolescent review skills learned, progress made, and feelings around ending treatment. The therapist, adolescent, and parents determine whether additional treatment is needed and how the parent can support the adolescent’s continued use of new skills.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents is rated as a promising practice because at least one study achieved a rating of moderate or high on study design and execution and demonstrated a favorable effect on a target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Feb 2021
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information was informed by the following sources: The California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare, Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness, the program or service developer’s website, the program or service manual, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
IPT-A was developed for adolescents (12-18 years) with mild to moderate symptoms of a depressive disorder. It is not indicated for those who are bipolar, acutely suicidal or homicidal, psychotic, intellectually disabled, or actively abusing substances.
Dosage
IPT-A is a time-limited treatment. Therapists typically work one-on-one with adolescents over the course of 12 weekly sessions. The initial phase spans sessions 1-4, the middle phase spans sessions 5-9, and the termination phase spans sessions 10-12. Each session lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. Therapists may also meet with parents or guardians for 1-3 sessions, as needed. These sessions may or may not include the adolescent, depending on what the therapist determines is most beneficial.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
IPT-A sessions typically occur in outpatient settings, including outpatient clinics and therapists’ offices, schools, and primary care settings.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- School
Education, Certifications and Training
IPT-A is delivered by therapists who have a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology, or a master’s degree in social work and have attended formal training programs for IPT-A. The main goals of IPT-A training are for therapists to learn practical skills for delivering IPT-A, to learn how to work collaboratively with parents and educational services, to learn how to conceptualize situations from an interpersonal perspective, and to better understand the theoretical origins and research literature related to IPT-A.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Mufson, L., Dorta, K. P., Moreau, D., & Weissman, M. M. (2004). Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Available languages
The IPT-A manual is available in English, Japanese, and Mandarin.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: https://interpersonalpsychotherapy.org/
Phone: (615) 324-2365
Email: info@interpersonalpsychotherapy.org
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 6 |
| Eligible for Review | 3 |
| Rated High | 1 |
| Rated Moderate | 2 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.76
27 |
3 (10) | 163 |
Favorable:
9 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Social functioning |
0.64
23 |
1 (5) | 57 |
Favorable:
4 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.76
27 |
3 (10) | 163 |
Favorable:
9 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10892 - Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. Clinical Monitoring Control (Mufson, 1999) | |||||
| Beck Depression Inventory |
0.56
21 |
- | 32 | - | 0 |
| Study 10890 - Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. TAU (Mufson, 2004) | |||||
| Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (12 weeks post enrollment) |
0.74
*
27 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (16 weeks post enrollment) |
0.67
*
24 |
- | 58 | - | 0 |
| Clinical Global Impressions Scale: Severity of Illness |
0.58
*
21 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Clinical Global Impressions Scale: Global Improvement |
0.78
*
28 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Beck Depression Inventory |
0.58
*
21 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Study 10895 - Intensive Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. TAU (Tang, 2009) | |||||
| Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation |
0.77
*
27 |
- | 73 | - | 0 |
| Beck Depression Inventory-II |
0.86
*
30 |
- | 73 | - | 0 |
| Beck Hopelessness Scale |
0.99
*
33 |
- | 73 | - | 0 |
| Beck Anxiety Inventory |
1.06
*
35 |
- | 73 | - | 0 |
| Child well-being: Social functioning |
0.64
23 |
1 (5) | 57 |
Favorable:
4 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10890 - Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. TAU (Mufson, 2004) | |||||
| Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: School |
0.59
*
22 |
- | 51 | - | 0 |
| Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Friends |
0.38
14 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Family |
0.65
*
24 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Dating |
0.67
*
24 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
| Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report: Overall |
0.90
*
31 |
- | 57 | - | 0 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 10895 - Intensive Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. TAU | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Kaohsiung City, Taiwan | 2005 | Mean age: 15.3 years; Age range: 12-18 years | -- |
66% Girls 34% Boys |
-- | -- |
| Study 10890 - Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents vs. TAU | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| New York City, NY, USA | 1999 | Average age: 14.7 years; Age range: 12-18 years |
75% Hispanic/Latino 14% African American 10% Other 1.6% Asian American 0% Caucasian |
84% Female 16% Male |
Diagnoses: 51% Major depression, 32% Anxiety disorder, 17% dysthymic disorder, 14% Adjustment disorder with depressed mood, 11% Depressive disorder not otherwise specified, 8% Oppositional defiant disorder, 6% Double depression, 6% Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| New York City, NY, USA | 1999 | -- | -- | -- | 70% Living in a single-parent home | -- |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated High
Study 10895Tang, T. C., Jou, S.-H., Ko, C.-H., Huang, S.-Y., & Yen, C.-F. (2009). Randomized study of school-based intensive interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents with suicidal risk and parasuicide behaviors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 63(4), 463-470. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2009.01991.x
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Rated Moderate
Study 10892Mufson, L., Weissman, M., M., Moreau, D., & Garfinkel, R. (1999). Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56(6), 573-579. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.56.6.573
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Study 10890
Mufson, L., Dorta, K. P., Wickramaratne, P., Nomura, Y., Olfson, M., & Weissman, M. M. (2004). A randomized effectiveness trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61(6), 577-584. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.61.6.577
Young, J. F., Mufson, L., & Davies, M. (2006). Impact of comorbid anxiety in an effectiveness study of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(8), 904-912. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.chi.0000222791.23927.5f
Gunlicks-Stoessel, M., Mufson, L., Jekal, A., & Turner, J. B. (2010). The impact of perceived interpersonal functioning on treatment for adolescent depression: IPT-A versus treatment as usual in school-based health clinics. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 260-267. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018935
Gunlicks‐Stoessel, M., & Mufson, L. (2011). Early patterns of symptom change signal remission with Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Depression and Anxiety, 28(7), 525-531. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20849
Mufson, L., Yanes-Lutkin, P., Gunlicks-Stoessel, M., & Wickramaratne, P. (2014). Cultural competency and its effect on treatment outcome of IPT-A in school-based health clinics. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 68(4), 417-442. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2014.68.4.417
McGlinchey, E. L., Reyes-Portillo, J. A., Turner, J. B., & Mufson, L. (2017). Innovations in practice: The relationship between sleep disturbances, depression, and interpersonal functioning in treatment for adolescent depression. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 22(2), 96-99. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12176
Reyes-Portillo, J. A., McGlinchey, E. L., Yanes-Lukin, P. K., Turner, J. B., & Mufson, L. (2017). Mediators of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents on outcomes in Latinos: The role of peer and family interpersonal functioning. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 5(4), 248-260. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000096
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 10891
Gunlicks-Stoessel, M., Westervelt, A., Reigstad, K., Mufson, L., & Lee, S. (2019). The role of attachment style in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Psychotherapy Research, 29(1), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2017.1315465
Gunlicks-Stoessel, M., Mufson, L., Westervelt, A., Almirall, D., & Murphy, S. (2016). A pilot SMART for developing an adaptive treatment strategy for adolescent depression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 45(4), 480-494. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1015133
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).
Study 10893
Mufson, L., Rynn, M., Yanes-Lukin, P., Choo, T., Soren, K., Stewart, E., & Wall, M. (2018). Stepped Care Interpersonal Psychotherapy Treatment for Depressed Adolescents: A pilot study in pediatric clinics. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 45(3), 417-431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-017-0836-8
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 10894
Rosselló, J., & Bernal, G. (1999). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal treatments for depression in Puerto Rican adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(5), 734-745. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.67.5.734
Rosselló, J., Bernal, G., & Rivera-Medina, C. (2008). Individual and group CBT and IPT for Puerto Rican adolescents with depressive symptoms. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(3), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.14.3.234
Rosselló, J., Bernal, G., & Rivera-Medina, C. (2012). Individual and group CBT and IPT for Puerto Rican adolescents with depressive symptoms. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 1(S), 36-51. https://doi.org/10.1037/2168-1678.1.S.36
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).