The importance of interpersonal treatment goals for depressed inpatients

Authors

Lisa A. Uebelacker, The Warren Alpert Medical School
Cynthia L. Battle, The Warren Alpert Medical School
Michael A. Friedman, Manhattan Cognitive Behavioral Associates, PLLC
Esteban V. Cardemil, Clark UniversityFollow
Christopher G. Beevers, The University of Texas at Austin
Ivan W. Miller, The Warren Alpert Medical School

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Increased understanding of the treatment goals of depressed patients may lead to improved treatments and assist researchers and program evaluators in choosing clinically relevant outcome measures. To characterize patients' depression treatment goals, we interviewed hospitalized depressed patients about their treatment goals. Common responses included improving relationships, decreasing sadness or anxiety, and finding a job or improving job performance. On a written questionnaire, patients also ranked decreasing suicidal thoughts highly. These results suggest that for many severely depressed individuals, primary treatment goals include improvements in social and occupational functioning in addition to symptomatic improvement. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Publication Title

Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

Publication Date

2008

Volume

196

Issue

3

First Page

217

Last Page

222

ISSN

0022-3018

DOI

10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181663520

Keywords

depression, goals, treatment

Repository Citation

Uebelacker, Lisa A.; Battle, Cynthia L.; Friedman, Michael A.; Cardemil, Esteban V.; Beevers, Christopher G.; and Miller, Ivan W., "The importance of interpersonal treatment goals for depressed inpatients" (2008). Psychology. 241.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_psychology/241