Article
Details
Citation
Vossler A, Pinquart M, Forbat L & Stratton P (2024) Efficacy of systemic therapy on adults with depressive disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychotherapy Research, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2352741
Abstract
Objective
This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of systemic therapy approaches on adult clients with depressive disorders.
Methods
The illness-specific systematic review updates a previous meta-analysis on the efficacy of systemic therapy on psychiatric disorders in adulthood. It integrates the results of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing systemic psychotherapy for depression with an untreated control group or alternative treatments. Studies were identified through systematic searches in relevant electronic databases and cross-referencing. A random-effects model calculated weighted mean effect sizes for each type of comparison (alternative treatments, control group with no alternative treatment/waiting list) on two outcomes (depressive symptoms change, drop-out rates).
Results
On average, systemic interventions show larger improvements in depressive symptoms compared to no-treatment controls at post-test (g?=?1.09) and follow-up (g?=?1.23). Changes do not significantly differ when comparing systemic interventions with alternative treatments (post-test g?=?0.25; follow-up g?=?0.09). Results also vary, in part, by participant age, publication year, and active control condition.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis indicates the potential benefits of systemic interventions for adult patients with depression. Future randomized clinical trials in this area should enhance study quality and include relational and other relevant outcome measures.
Keywords
systemic psychotherapy; family therapy; depressive disorders; meta-analysis; outcomes
Journal
Psychotherapy Research
Status | Early Online |
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Funders | |
Publication date online | 31/05/2024 |
Date accepted by journal | 02/05/2024 |
Publisher | Informa UK Limited |
ISSN | 1050-3307 |
eISSN | 1468-4381 |
People (1)
Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences