The Efficacy of Internal Family Systems Therapy in the Treatment of Depression Among Female College Students: A Pilot Study

Summary & key facts

This small pilot study randomly assigned 37 college women with depressive symptoms to either Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy or to treatment as usual (cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy). Both groups showed a decline in depressive symptoms. There were no significant differences between IFS and the usual treatments in how much or how quickly symptoms improved. The authors describe these results as preliminary evidence that IFS may be effective for depressive symptoms in this group.

Key facts:

• The study included 37 college women who were randomly assigned to treatment groups.
• Participants received either Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy or treatment as usual (CBT or IPT).
• Both IFS and the treatment-as-usual groups showed a decline in depressive symptoms over the study period.
• There were no statistically significant differences between IFS and the usual treatments in the magnitude of symptom change.
• The authors call this a pilot study and describe the evidence for IFS as preliminary.

Abstract

College women are vulnerable to depression due to developmental and transitional life changes. Early diagnosis and effective treatment is critically important. Empirical support exists for the effectiveness of select treatment options (i.e., antidepressant medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT], and interpersonal psychotherapy [IPT]), yet a significant percentage of those treated do not benefit. In this pilot study, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy was tested as an alternative approach. College women (N = 37) were randomly allocated to IFS treatment or treatment as usual (CBT or IPT). Results demonstrated a decline in depressive symptoms for both conditions and no significant differences in the magnitude or rate of change. The results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of IFS in the treatment of depressive symptoms.

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Attachment and Relationship Dynamics Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Antidepressant Antidepressant medication Anxiety Clinical psychology Cognition Cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive therapy Depression (economics) Depressive symptoms Economics Family therapy Internal medicine Interpersonal communication Interpersonal psychotherapy Macroeconomics Medicine Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Randomized controlled trial Social psychology

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Depression Sadness or low mood