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An open‐label trial of enhanced brief interpersonal psychotherapy in depressed mothers whose children are receiving psychiatric treatment

Major depression affects one out of five women during her lifetime. Depressed mothers with psychiatrically ill children represent an especially vulnerable population. Challenged by the demands of caring for ill children, these mothers often put their own needs last; consequently, their depressions remain untreated. This population is especially difficult to engage in treatment. We have developed a nine‐session intervention, an engagement session followed by eight sessions of brief interpersonal psychotherapy designed to increase maternal participation in their own psychotherapy, resolve symptoms of maternal depression, and enhance relationships (IPT‐MOMS). This open‐label trial assesses the feasibility and acceptability of providing this treatment to depressed mothers. Thirteen mothers meeting DSM‐IV criteria for major depression were recruited from a pediatric mental health clinic where their school‐age children were receiving psychiatric treatment. Subjects (mothers) were treated openly with IPT‐MOMS. Eighty‐five percent (11/13) completed the study. Subjects were evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and completed self‐report measures of quality of life and functioning at three time points: baseline, after treatment completion, and 6‐months posttreatment. A signed rank test was used to compare measurement changes between assessment time points. Subjects showed significant improvement from baseline to posttreatment on measures of maternal symptoms and functioning. These gains were maintained at 6‐month follow‐up. Therapy was well tolerated and accepted by depressed mothers, who are typically difficult to engage in treatment. A high proportion of subjects completed treatment and experienced improvements in functioning. Future randomized clinical trials are needed to establish the efficacy of this approach. Depression and Anxiety 23:398–404, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.