DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20260917-01 ISSN: 0279-3695

Group-Based Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Negative Emotions and Interpersonal Functioning in Caregivers of Adolescents With Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Fan Shi, Shufang Zhang, Xiaoyong Long, Xin Wang, Guilin Yu
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Purpose:

To examine the potential effects of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) in alleviating negative emotions and enhancing interpersonal functioning among caregivers of adolescents with depression.

Method:

A single-center, evaluator blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-two primary caregivers of adolescents with depression were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group ( n = 36; 12 weeks of IPT-G plus routine health education) or control group ( n = 36; routine health education only). Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), immediately postintervention (T1), and 4-week follow up (T2) using different scales.

Results:

Compared with the control group, the IPT-G group showed significantly lower total scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems at T1 and T2 (all p < .05), reflecting reductions in negative affect (anxiety and depression) and interpersonal problems; the group × time interaction was significant ( p < .001). Within-group analyses confirmed significant pre-to-post and pre-to-follow up reductions in anxiety and depression, as well as in interpersonal problem scores in the IPT-G group ( p < .05). Repeated measures analysis of variance also revealed a significant main effect of time for negative affect and interpersonal functioning ( p < .001), with these changes maintained at 4-week follow up.

Conclusion:

Preliminary evidence indicates that IPT-G could be a useful addition to psychosocial support services for caregivers, though more research is needed before firm recommendations can be made for community or clinical settings.

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