[Evidence for Psychodynamic Therapy for Children and Adolescents]

Area of Science:

• Psychology and Psychotherapy
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

• Cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and systemic therapies are approved in Germany for mental disorders.
• Empirical evidence for psychodynamic therapy's effectiveness in adults is established, but lacking for children and adolescents.
• The "Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy" (Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Psychotherapie) sets the criteria for scientific approval.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the empirical data for psychodynamic therapy in children and adolescents.
• To assess efficacy based on the criteria of the "Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy" (2019; version 2.9).

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search and review of published studies.
• Inclusion of studies based on the "Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy" methods paper.
• Exclusion of studies not meeting disorder-specific or control group criteria.

Main Results:

• 91 potentially relevant studies were identified; the majority were excluded.
• Up to 26 studies met the efficacy criteria defined by the "Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy".
• Evidence supports psychodynamic therapy for affective, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, hyperkinetic, and conduct disorders in youth.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed studies provide empirical evidence for the suitability of psychodynamic therapy in children and adolescents.
• Evidence supports its use in three key areas: affective disorders; anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders; and hyperkinetic and conduct disorders.
• Psychodynamic therapy is a scientifically supported treatment option for various mental health conditions in young people.