Group treatment for depression in mothers of young children compared to standard individual therapy.

BACKGROUND

Studies on specific psychotherapy for depressed mothers of small children are rare. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a newly developed cognitive-behavioral group intervention for depressed mothers compared to standard individual therapy.

SAMPLING AND

METHODS

In a naturalistic design, 31 mothers suffering from depressive disorders with children aged ≤4 years who had consecutively been admitted to our specialized clinic for mentally ill mothers were assigned to the group treatment, and the following 21 were admitted to the control group receiving standard individual therapy. The group treatment consisted of 12 group sessions and 1 couple session and was administered to five consecutive groups. Participants completed interviews and questionnaires - the Beck Depression Inventory and the Symptom Checklist- 90-R - before and 3 months after therapy.

RESULTS

The treatment group and the control group showed a significant improvement in their depression, with no significant differences between the two treatment strategies. The women in group therapy, however, required fewer antidepressants, and group treatment was observed to be more effective in reducing anger and hostility.

CONCLUSION

This form of group treatment for depressed women in early motherhood may have some important advantages over individual therapy; effects were small, however, and should be replicated in a further study.