The effect of metacognitive therapy on interpersonal problems in patiens with major depressive disorder : a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial

Interpersonal problems have been found to be significantly elevated in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, focusing exclusively on interpersonal factors in therapy, might lead to less than optimal treatment considering recent research tying rumination, an intra-psychic process to interpersonal problems and MDD. This research indicates therapies that target rumination in treatment of interpersonal problems in MDD. Method: This thesis explored relationships between change in depression, interpersonal problems and rumination in MDD patients receiving Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) in a randomized clinical trial. Results: MCT for MDD was associated with large improvements in interpersonal problems (d = 1.25), depression (d = 2.55), and rumination (d = 2.45). Further, change in rumination significantly explained variation in treatment outcome (BDI) over and above change in interpersonal problems. After controlling for change in rumination, interpersonal problems did not significantly explain additional variance in treatment outcome. Conclusion: MCT, which targets established essential transdiagnostic mechanisms across psychopathology, could be a favorable treatment for patients with depression and interpersonal problems. Future research should compare MCT with other evidence-based treatments for interpersonal problems and depression.