However, girls with role transitions did not differ from girls with interpersonal deficits ED or role disputes.
Girls with interpersonal deficits ED had greater depressive symptoms and alexithymia than girls with role disputes (p's ≤ 0.01).
Primary interpersonal problem areas were categorized as interpersonal deficits [as defined in the eating disorders (ED) literature] (n = 29), role disputes (n = 22), or role transitions (n = 5).
Among girls at risk for excess weight gain and eating disorders, those with interpersonal deficits ED appear to have greater distress as compared to girls with role disputes or role transitions.
Interpersonal role disputes—Interpersonal role disputes are also common in these patients.
After performing a multivariable analysis, only the four interpersonal problem areas: grief, interpersonal role disputes, role transitions (p < 0.01), and interpersonal deficits (p < 0.05) remained.
IPT for depression categorizes interpersonal problems into one of four 'problem areas': grief, interpersonal role disputes, role transitions and interpersonal deficits.
The problem areas are: 1) grief or complicated bereavement, 2) interpersonal role disputes, 3) role transitions, and 4) interpersonal deficits [ 7- 9].
This questionnaire showed good validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient for grief = 0.79; interpersonal role disputes = 0.96; role transitions = 0.96; and interpersonal deficits = 0.82).
The treatment focuses on a key interpersonal problem area identified for the individual (e.g. grief, interpersonal role disputes, interpersonal role transitions).
