Interpersonal psychotherapy with pregnant adolescents: two pilot studies.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility, acceptability and helpfulness of group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-PA) for depression in pregnant adolescents.


METHODS
Two open clinical trials were conducted of IPT-PA delivered in group format in a New York City public school for pregnant girls. Study 1 tests IPT-PA for management of depressive symptoms by delivery during health class to pregnant girls with varying levels of depressive symptoms (N = 14; 10 Hispanic, 3 African-American and 1 bi-racial). Study 2 tests IPT-PA for treatment of depression by delivery after school for self-nominating pregnant girls with DSM-IVR diagnoses of depressive disorder or an adjustment disorder (N = 11; 8 African-American, 1 girl Hispanic and 2 bi-racial). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Edinburgh Depression Scale (for its sensitivity to severe symptoms, the Hamilton Depression Scale was added in Study 2). Clinical diagnosis was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for Children (K-SADS). STUDY 1


RESULTS
At 12-week termination, level of depressive symptoms had decreased by 50%; 13/14 girls showed a decrease in level of symptoms. STUDY 2


RESULTS
At 12-week termination, level of depressive symptoms had decreased by 40%; 10/11 girls showed decrease in level of symptoms and in DSM-IVR clinical diagnosis; treatment gains were maintained at 20-week post-partum follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
IPT-PA appears feasible and helpful in managing and treating depression in pregnant girls.
Miller
Lisa
L
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA. lfm14@columbia.edu
Gur
Merav
M
Shanok
Arielle
A
Weissman
Myrna
M
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population