INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR DEPRESSION - OVERVIEW, CLINICAL EFFICACY, AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

In this report we review the history of the development of interperson al psychotherapy (IPT) and the content of this intervention in both it s acute and maintenance treatment forms. We trace its theoretical base r to the therapeutic traditions established by Adolf Meyer and Harry S tack Sullivan, as well as to the attachment theory of Bowlby. We exami ne its empirical foundation in studies linking change in the social en vironment to the onset and maintenance of major depression. We describ e two acute treatment studies of IPT, each of which suggests that shor t-term IPT is equivalent in efficacy to well-controlled pharmacotherap y. Two of the prophylactic studies suggest that IPT is superior to a n o-treatment or medication clinic and placebo approach in the preventio n of new episodes. In examining how IPT exerts its affect, we first co nsider studies of process and then studies of process as it relater to outcome. Finally, we make suggestions for future directions in resear ch on IPT of depression.