Many adolescents with chronic medical disorders experience psychological
distress and mental health problems, including depression. Interpersonal
psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited individual psychotherapy which was
originally developed for the treatment of depression in adults. It explores the
patient’s interpersonal problem areas such as grief, interpersonal
disputes, role transitions and interpersonal deficits, which then become the
focus of the therapy. Controlled clinical studies have shown the efficacy and
effectiveness of this therapeutic model for the management of adolescent
depression. This article explores the applicability of IPT to adolescents with
depression and chronic medical problems using theoretical concepts and research
evidence from the adolescent development and health psychology literature. The
specific interpersonal problem areas of IPT are relevant to the difficulties
faced by these adolescents, although some modification of standard adult IPT may
be necessary.
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