Women's Depression Treatment Study

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.