Effectiveness of Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy Among Women with Major Depression in Turkey

ABSTRACT

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder and the leading cause of disability worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) on the levels of depression and social adaptation among married Turkish women with interpersonal relationship problems and to determine whether the intervention was compatible with Turkish culture. A pretest-posttest nonequivalent-control-groups design was used. Twenty-two female participants who received a diagnosis of major depression at an outpatient psychiatry clinic were assigned to receive either IPT-G and pharmacotherapy or treatment as usual (pharmacotherapy) for 12 weeks. Quantitative data were collected from bogggth groups using the Beck Depression Inventory and Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale before and after the interventions. Findings indicate statistically significant improvements on both outcome measures. IPT-G intervention used in this study was effective in decreasing the depression levels and increasing the social adaptation of women with major depression in the eastern part of Turkey.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Meltem Oral

Meltem Oral is an Assistant Professor in the Vocational School of Health Services at Atatürk University in Erzurum, Turkey. Tarık Tuncay is a Professor in the Social Work Department at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey.