Interpersonal Approaches to Intervention: Implications for Preventing and Treating Social Anxiety in Adolescents

Abstract

Interpersonal difficulties with peers and family members play an important role in both social anxiety disorder (SAD) and depression in adolescents. SAD and depression are highly prevalent among adolescents, often comorbid, and are associated with significant impairment suggesting that an integrative approach to the treatment and/or prevention of SAD and depression in adolescents may be useful. There is evidence for the effectiveness of the interpersonal approach for treating depression with both adolescents (IPT-A) and adults (IPT). However, there are mixed results for the effectiveness of the interpersonal approach for adults with SAD and little study of the interpersonal approach for adolescents with SAD. IPT-A, with its focus on improving communication and affect management within relationships, may be well suited to address the interpersonal deficits that contribute to and maintain social anxiety. The interpersonal prevention model for adolescents at risk for depression (IPT-AST) may be effective in addressing the shared interpersonal risk factors for both social anxiety and depression in adolescents. The IPT-AST modification called PEERS/UTalk, currently being studied, specifically targets adolescents who have encountered peer victimization experiences that may place them at risk for both social anxiety and depression. The purpose of this chapter is to describe interpersonal approaches to treating and preventing adolescent depression, review the evidence for IPT-A and IPT-AST, and consider how these approaches might be adapted or modified for treating or preventing adolescent SAD and depression, specifically in the context of peer victimization.