Family-based interpersonal psychotherapy (FB-IPT) for depressed preadolescents

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Family-Based interpersonal psychotherapy (FB-IPT) for depressed preadolescents. The rationale behind FB-IPT is to reduce preadolescent depressive symptoms by increasing social support, to reflect on affective changes associated with interpersonal events, and to improve communication and problem-solving skills in interpersonal relationships. Both adult and adolescent models of IPT provided a conceptual foundation for understanding preadolescents' developmental transitions and for addressing their interpersonal contexts, namely their family relationships, which may contribute to emotional distress and difficulties. Inherent to IPT is the understanding that role transitions are often related to depressive symptoms, and treatment focuses on helping clients recognize how changes in routines, circumstances, and social/developmental roles necessitate changes in behavior to meet new challenges and responsibilities that come with the new role. The chapter then reviews the clinical adaptations present in the FB-IPT psychotherapy model used with depressed preadolescents as related to both the original adult model of IPT and modifications to interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) with depression. It also provides a brief review of the empirical evidence that supports FB-IPT, which includes an open study and 2 randomized controlled trials.