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Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Vulnerable Populations

Award Number: F32MH142272
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2027
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Vulnerable Populations - Project Summary/Abstract Depression and disordered eating are inter-connected and are worsening in U.S. adolescents. Queer adolescents have particularly high rates of elevated depression symptoms (70%) and disordered eating (40%), likely due to major social stressors (e.g., bullying from peers). Therefore, more effective interventions are needed to address both immediate psychological distress caused by depression and disordered eating and prevent worsening of symptoms (e.g., binge eating disorder). Interventions focused on interpersonal skills can decrease both depression and disordered eating symptoms, as well as build resilience in adolescents. However, no existing interventions address the co-occurrence of depression and disordered eating for queer adolescents, and none have been adapted to account for the unique stressors that queer adolescents face. Previous research indicates that tailored therapeutic interventions are more effective than non-tailored treatments. The purpose of this F32 individual, postdoctoral project is to tailor IPT for queer adolescents who are experiencing depression+disordered eating, with a focus on those with elevated BMI, a population at high risk for depression and binge eating disorder. The specific aims are: (1) Using the Formative Method for Adapting Psychotherapy (FMAP), a community-engaged framework for tailoring psychotherapy interventions framework, form interest holder advisory panels of queer adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to tailor IPT for queer adolescents; (2) In line with the ORBIT model of behavioral intervention development, in a single-arm, open trial, refine IPT for queer adolescents through iterative delivery and mixed-methods feedback to assess feasibility/acceptability and proof of concept of IPT-Q. The current proposal is a novel application of IPT: although IPT has been utilized in a group format to address elevated BMI+disordered eating for adolescent girls, IPT has not been tailored to account for the unique social stressors of queer adolescents. This proposal is designed to advance the candidate’s long-term goal of becoming an independent clinician-scientist with advanced methodological skills and clinical intervention knowledge that can be applied to maximizing the effectiveness of mental health interventions for vulnerable populations. The training objectives are to: (1) advance quantitative/statistical skills and mixed methods analysis, (2) develop expertise in interdisciplinary clinical trial design and conduct, (3) increase knowledge of pediatric depression and eating disorders, and (4) advance research, professional, and ethical skills that will support the candidate’s long term career goals. Knowledge generated from this proposal will provide essential information about the potential utility of IPT to ameliorate depression+disordered eating symptoms as well as increase resilience factors for queer youth. The training will further the candidate’s ability to become an innovative, skilled researcher capable of developing and implementing clinical trials to address the complex challenges faced by queer individuals.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $76,780 )
2026	2026	COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY	601 S HOWES ST	FORT COLLINS	CO	80521	LARIMER	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	8/17/2026	NEW	$76,780
														Subtotal = $76,780

Grand Total All Awards = $76,780

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Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Vulnerable Populations

Award Number: F32MH142272

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2027

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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