Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Mothers Whose Children Are Receiving Psychiatric Treatment

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07081339
• Publication Date: 2008-06-17T00:26:42Z
• Authors: Holly A. Swartz; Ellen Frank; Allan Zuckoff; Jill M. Cyranowski; Patricia R. Houck; Yu Cheng; M.A. Dana Fleming; Nancy K. Grote; David A. Brent; M. Katherine Shear
• Keywords: Interpersonal psychotherapy; Depression

Objective: Depressed mothers of children with psychiatric illness struggle both their own disorder and the demands caring for ill children. When maternal depression remains untreated, suffer, in offspring is less likely to improve. This randomized, controlled trial compared interpersonal psychotherapy depressed (IPT-MOMS), a nine-session intervention based on standard psychotherapy, treatment as usual psychiatrically offspring. Method: Forty-seven meeting DSM-IV criteria major were recruited from pediatric mental health clinic where school-age receiving randomly assigned IPT-MOMS (N=26) or (N=21). Mother-child pairs assessed at three time points: baseline, 3-month follow-up, 9-month follow-up. Child was not determined by study. Results: Compared subjects usual, showed significantly lower levels symptoms, measured Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, higher functioning, Global Assessment Functioning, follow-ups. Children's Depressive Inventory Conclusions: Assignment associated reduced symptoms improved functioning 3- follow-ups usual. Maternal improvement preceded offspring, suggesting that changes may mediate child outcomes.