ArticleBJPsych open2019
The effect of comorbid personality disorder on depression outcome after short-term psychotherapy in a randomised clinical trial.
Article in BJPsych open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Interpersonal Distress as a Covariate of Mental Health in Depression: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis.Clinical psychology & psychotherapyPooled it
- Is bouldering-psychotherapy a cost-effective way to treat depression when compared to group cognitive behavioral therapy - results from a randomized controlled trial.BMC health services research · 2021Trial
- Reinitiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy among patients discharged from the hospital: A population-based cohort study.PLOS mental health · 2026Article
- The significance of personality disorder and traits in short-term psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapy for major depression.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Effects of Personality Styles on Clinical Response to Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Depression.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Real-World Treatment Costs and Care Utilization in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder With and Without Psychiatric Comorbidities in Specialist Mental Healthcare.PharmacoEconomics · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundTime-limited psychotherapy for depression is effective. However, comorbid personality disorders affect therapy outcomes negatively. Studies of follow-up effects and results relating to the influence of comorbid personality disorder and treatment modality are scarce.
aimsTo determine the influence of comorbid personality disorder and treatment modality on outcomes after cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (SPSP) for depression.
methodThis study draws on data from a previously published randomised clinical trial contrasting SPSP and CBT for depression (both 16 sessions). We compared the effectiveness of these psychotherapies for patients with and without personality disorder (n = 196). The primary measure was depression outcome; the secondary measurements were interpersonal functioning and quality of life. Collected data were analysed using multilevel analysis. Trial registration: ISRCTN31263312 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
resultsAlthough participants with and without comorbid personality disorder improved at treatment termination (d = 1.04, 95% CI 0.77-1.31 and d = 1.36, 95% CI 0.97-1.76, respectively) and at follow-up (d = 1.15, 95% CI 0.87-1.43 and d = 2.12, 95% CI 1.65-2.59 respectively), personality disorder had a negative effect on depression outcome at both measurement points (P < 0.05). A similar negative effect on interpersonal functioning was no longer apparent at follow-up. Comorbid personality disorder had no influence on social functioning or quality of life outcomes, irrespective of treatment modality.
conclusionsCBT and SPSP contribute to the improvement of depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems in depressed patients with and without comorbid personality disorder. Both treatments are an effective first step in a stepped care approach, but - given remaining levels of depression in patients with personality disorder - they are probably inadequate for large numbers of patients with this comorbidity. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.
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