Women's Depression Treatment Study

Effectiveness of IPT Adapted for Depressed Women With Trauma Histories in a Community Mental Health Center

The aim of the Women's Depression Treatment Study, based in a community mental health center, is to evaluate the effectiveness of Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Trauma in Community Settings (IPT-TCS) on improving depression and other psychological and social functioning. IPT-TCS is Interpersonal Psychotherapy with modifications specifically designed for the treatment of depressed patients with trauma histories seen in community settings.

Evidence-based treatments for depression have rarely been studied in community settings where low-income and ethnic minority patients receive care. Among the most in need of effective treatments are depressed women with histories of early interpersonal trauma, who suffer disproportionate burden characterized by chronic depression, multiple comorbidities, and marked interpersonal difficulties. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT), based in a community mental health center, is to evaluate the effectiveness of Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Trauma in Community Settings (IPT-TCS). IPT-TCS is Interpersonal Psychotherapy with modifications specifically designed for the treatment of depressed patients with trauma histories seen in community settings. This trial (n=180) will compare IPT-TCS to active treatment as usual (TAU) for women with major depression and histories of childhood sexual abuse. We hypothesize that IPT-TCS will be more effective than TAU in reducing depression at 32-weeks after treatment assignment. Improvements in social functioning, health-related functioning, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and mental health functioning are also expected. To monitor post-treatment course, outcome variables will be assessed at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period, and longer-term effects will be examined via repeated-measure analyses. This trial is designed to provide definitive results regarding the effectiveness of IPT-TCS compared to usual care in a community mental health center.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Trauma in Community Settings (IPT-TCS) is Interpersonal Psychotherapy with modifications specifically designed for the treatment of depressed patients with trauma histories seen in community settings.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 or older Current Major Depression History of sexual abuse prior to age 18 Exclusion Criteria: Bipolar disorder Psychosis or schizophrenia Active alcohol or substance abuse

Talbot NL, Gamble SA. IPT for women with trauma histories in community mental health care. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 38(1): 35-44, 2008.

Lestrade KN, Talbot NL, Ward EA, Cort NA. High-risk sexual behaviors among depressed Black women with histories of intrafamilial and extrafamilial childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse Negl. 2013 Jun;37(6):400-3. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.01.007. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Glanton Holzhauer C, Duberstein P, Ward E, Talbot N. Reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity among depressed women with childhood sexual abuse histories in interpersonal psychotherapy-trauma: The role of improved social functioning. Psychol Trauma. 2022 Jun 2. doi: 10.1037/tra0001293. Online ahead of print.

Cankaya B, Talbot NL, Ward EA, Duberstein PR. Parental sexual abuse and suicidal behaviour among women with major depressive disorder. Can J Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;57(1):45-51. doi: 10.1177/070674371205700108.