title: The development and content of an interpersonal psychotherapy group for postnatal depression.
abstract: Postnatal depression (PND) usually causes distressing symptoms for sufferers and significant impairments in relationships. Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G) provides the experienced therapist with a brief, focused, and manualized approach to helping women recover from the debilitating effects of PND. This paper describes the background and development of IPT-G for PND. The evidence for the effectiveness of individual and group IPT formats with this population is summarized. The triad of theories underpinning IPT are discussed with an emphasis on the important role of attachment styles during the transition to parenthood. Its strengths, which include its unique package of targets, tactics, and techniques, are highlighted. The benefits and challenges of IPT-G are also explored, and the results of a randomized controlled trial are summarized. Finally, a case study illustrates how IPT-G specifically addresses the social role transitions, conflicts, losses, and social isolation that mothers commonly experience.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Psychological Medicine, Australian National University (ANU) Medical School, Canberra. Rebecca.Reay@act.gov.au
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Reay
authors.forename: Riannon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mulcahy
authors.forename: Ross B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shadbolt
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raphael
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003142:Communication; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D011340:Problem Solving; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012381:Role Playing