Depressive symptom complexes of community-dwelling older adults: a latent network model.

Late-life depression has multiple, heterogeneous clinical presentations. The aim of the study was to identify higher-order homogeneous clinical features (symptom complexes), while accounting for their potential causal interactions within the network approach to psychopathology. We analyzed cross-sectional data from community-dwelling adults aged 65-85 years recruited by the European MentDis_ICF65+ study (n = 2623, mean age 74, 49% females). The severity of 33 depressive symptoms was derived from the age-adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Symptom complexes were identified using multiple detection algorithms for symptom networks, and their fit to data was assessed with latent network models (LNMs) in exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Sensitivity analyses included the Partial Correlation Likelihood Test (PCLT) to investigate the data-generating structure. Depressive symptoms were organized by the Walktrap algorithm into eight symptom complexes, namely sadness/hopelessness, anhedonia/lack of energy, anxiety/irritability, self-reproach, disturbed sleep, agitation/increased appetite, concentration/decision making, and thoughts of death. An LNM adequately fit the distribution of individual symptoms' data in the population. The model suggested the presence of reciprocal interactions between the symptom complexes of sadness and anxiety, concentration and self-reproach and between self-reproach and thoughts of death. Results of the PCLT confirmed that symptom complex data were more likely generated by a network, rather than a latent-variable structure. In conclusion, late-life depressive symptoms are organized into eight interacting symptom complexes. Identification of the symptom complexes of late-life depression may streamline clinical assessment, provide targets for personalization of treatment, and aid the search for biomarkers and for predictors of outcomes of late-life depression.

Mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with conduct disorder (MBT-CD): a feasibility study.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a common psychiatric disorder in youth characterized by persisting norm-violating or aggressive behavior. Considering high individual and societal burden, feasible and effective psychotherapeutic treatment is desirable. Yet, treatments and research in this patient group are scarce. This study investigates the feasibility of mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with CD (MBT-CD) in terms of acceptability of MBT-CD and scientific assessments by participants as well as necessary organizational resources to conduct a consecutive randomized controlled trial (RCT). Recruitment, adherence and treatment session numbers were descriptively analyzed. Treatment evaluation interviews were qualitatively analyzed. A subset of sessions of therapists without prior MBT experience was rated for MBT adherence. Quantitative data were used to plan a consecutive RCT. Pre to post treatment changes in diagnosis and self-reported aggression, mentalizing and personality functioning were preliminarily analyzed. N = 45 adolescents with CD were recruited. 43% dropped out. Acceptance of scientific assessments was somewhat lower than therapy adherence (questionnaires filled out by ~ 80% of adolescents in treatment), and low at follow-up (25% of treatment completers). Mean session number was 30.3. Most treatment completers were satisfied with MBT-CD. Referrals mainly came from child and youth services and psychiatry. Nine of 16 sessions rated for MBT adherence were adherent. A priori sample size estimation for a prospective RCT with a drop-out rate of 43% yielded a sample of N = 158 to detect an effect f = .15 with 80% power in a repeated measures ANOVA. Pre-post analyses revealed diagnostic improvement in 68%. Of self-reported data, empathy pathology improved. Findings provide a sound basis for a consecutive feasibility and pilot RCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, registration number NCT02988453, November 30, 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02988453.

Mediators of outcome in adolescent psychotherapy and their implications for theories and mechanisms of change: a systematic review.

Psychotherapeutic treatment of adolescents requires age-specific approaches and thus plausibly also involves different change mechanisms than adult psychotherapy. To guide further research and improve therapeutic outcomes for adolescents, we reviewed all RCTs investigating mechanisms of change in the psychological treatment of adolescents to identify the most promising age-, disorder- or treatment-specific mediators. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA), 106 studies were included that reported 252 statistical mediation tests assessed with 181 different measures. Most often studied and significant mediators were cognitive, followed by family-related, and behavioral variables. Several mediators were identified to be promising for future investigations: changes in negative thoughts, dysfunctional beliefs and metacognitive skills; family functioning and parenting skills; as well as successful engagement in therapy activities and increased impulse control. Symptom change during therapy was least often a mediator for other therapeutic changes. Relational and emotional mediators were largely understudied, whereas peer-influence appeared a promising mediator for intervention outcomes. Adolescence-specific mediators were most commonly investigated. Majority of studied mediators were not disorder-specific. There was a tendency to mainly test change mechanisms of specific theoretical models without considering other possible change theories. Further, virtually no studies fulfilled all criteria for rigorously investigating mediation and only nine were classified with an overall good study quality. While bearing in mind the current limitations in study designs, methodological rigor and reporting, there appears to be substantial evidence for transdiagnostic age-specific change models in the psychological treatment of adolescents. For future research, need for consensus on a core set of transdiagnostic and transtheoretical mediators and measures is highlighted. These should address likely core mechanisms of change, as well as take into account age-relevant developmental challenges and biological markers.

[The Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD): Reliability and Validity of the German Version in a Clinical and Non-Clinical Sample]. / Das Persönlichkeitsinventar für ICD-11 (PiCD): Reliabilität und Validität der Deutschen Version in einer klinischen und nicht-klinischen Stichprobe.

The 11th version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) marks a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of personality disorders: In the near future, their classification will no longer be categorical, but dimensional along the severity of personality impairments and optionally regarding the presence of maladaptive personality traits. This study examines the reliability and validity of the German version of the Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD), a questionnaire designed to assess ICD-11 maladaptive personality domains, in a clinical and nonclinical sample (N=939). The factor structure of the PiCD was examined using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and showed a tendency for a four-factor model (Negative Affectivity, Dissociality, Detachment, and a bipolar factor Disinhibition-Anankastia). The subscales of the PiCD demonstrated acceptable to excellent reliability coefficients with Cronbach's α (0.79 - 0.89) and McDonald's ω (0.76 - 0.90). Convergent and discriminant validity were examined in conjunction with other questionnaires and were found to be satisfactory. The results suggest that the German version of the PiCD is a reliable and largely valid measurement instrument for assessing ICD-11 maladaptive personality traits. However, further research on factor structure, appropriate cut-off as well as norm values is needed.

[Domestic violence and its psychological consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic-key findings from German-speaking countries]. / Häusliche Gewalt und ihre psychischen Folgen während der COVID-19-Pandemie ­ Zentrale Befunde aus dem deutschsprachigen Raum.

The impact of traumatic experiences on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been insufficiently discussed in the German-speaking countries. Against this background, a working group of scientifically and clinically active colleagues was formed on behalf of the German-Speaking Society for Psychotraumatology (DeGPT). The aim of the working group was to summarize central research findings on the incidence of domestic violence and associated psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in German-speaking countries and to discuss their implications. In addition, associations between pre-existing childhood trauma and psychological distress during the pandemic should be illuminated. The present narrative review was prepared for this purpose.The results of the studies conducted indicate high prevalences of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, however, predominantly correspond to pre-pandemic prevalences. Adults with current or pre-existing interpersonal traumatic experiences during childhood or adolescence reported increased psychological distress during the pandemic compared with adults without such experiences. A number of risk factors (e.g., female gender, lower frequency of social contacts) increased the risk of psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the pandemic. According to these findings, people with current or past interpersonal trauma exposure represent a vulnerable group with special support needs during pandemic contexts.

Incidence and risk factors of mental disorders in the elderly: The European MentDis_ICF65+ study.

OBJECTIVE: While incidence rates of depression and anxiety disorders in the elderly have been comprehensively investigated, the incidence rates of other mental disorders have rarely been researched. The incidence rate and predictors of various mental disorders in the elderly were evaluated in different European and associated countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-centre survey of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) diagnoses was conducted in different European and associated countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Israel) to collect data on the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in the elderly. The sample size of the longitudinal wave was N = 2592 elderly. RESULTS: The overall 1-year incidence rate for any mental disorder in the elderly is 8.65%. At 5.18%, any anxiety disorder had the highest incidence rate across all diagnostic groups. The incidence rate for any affective disorder was 2.97%. The lowest incidence rates were found for agoraphobia (1.37%) and panic disorder (1.30%). Risk factors for the development of any mental disorder were never having been married, no religious affiliation, a higher number of physical illnesses and a lower quality of life. CONCLUSION: In comparison to other studies, lower incidence rates for any affective disorder and middle-range incidence for any anxiety disorder were found. To the authors' knowledge, no prior studies have reported 1-year incidence rates for somatoform disorder, bipolar disorder and substance misuse in community-dwelling elderly. These findings indicate the need to raise awareness of psychosocial problems in the elderly and to ensure adequate availability of mental health services.

Introduction to Mentalization-Based Approaches for Parents, Children, Youths, and Families.

Family members mentalize when they try to understand each other's behavior on the basis of intentional mental states. This article aims to introduce and briefly describe how the concept of mentalization can provide a useful framework for clinicians to understand psychopathology of children, youths, and families. The authors further outline how mentalization-based techniques and interventions can be applied to build epistemic trust and to reestablish mentalizing in families by presenting clinical vignettes of initial sessions from various clinical settings in the United Kingdom and Germany. The article concludes with a brief summary about the current evidence for mentalization-based interventions with children, adolescents, and families and provides an outlook for future clinical and research work.

A Bifactor Model of Personality Organization.

The aim of this study was to explore the viability of a bifactor model for the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO), which is a self-report measure of personality functioning based on Kernberg's model of personality organization. A heterogeneous, predominantly clinical sample (N = 616) completed the German 83-item version of the IPO. Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor Analyses were applied to explore the factor structure of the IPO. We were able to establish a bifactor model with a general factor of personality functioning and three specific factors (Aggression, Reality Testing, Moral Values), which represent additional dimensions of personality organization. Virtually all items showed substantial positive loadings on the general factor, explaining roughly 66% of the common variance. Furthermore, we found support for convergent and discriminant validity of general and specific factors with regard to interview-based assessments of personality disorders and personality organization. The results lend support to a bifactor approach to Kernberg's model of personality organization. We also present a 30-item brief form of the IPO that efficiently implements the bifactor approach and may be further validated in future studies.

Quality of life, level of functioning, and its relationship with mental and physical disorders in the elderly: results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study.

BACKGROUND: An ageing population worldwide needs to investigate quality of life (QoL) and level of functioning (LoF) in the elderly and its associated variables. We aimed to study the relationship between Quality of Life (QoL) and Level of Functioning (LoF) in an elderly population in Europe. METHOD: As part of the Ment_Dis65+ European Project, 3142 community-dwelling adults aged 65-84 years in six countries were assessed by using the adaptation for the elderly of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI65+) to provide psychiatric diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) (ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders). Socio-demographic and clinical interviews, and two self-report tools, the World Health Organization QoL assessment (WHO QoL BREF), to assess QoL, and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule -II (WHODAS-II), to assess LoF, were also administered. RESULTS: Most subjects reported good levels of QoL (56.6%) and self-rated health (62%), with no or mild disability (58.8%). There was a linear decrease of the QoL and the LoF by increase of age. Elderly with ICD-10 mental disorder (e.g. somatoform, affective and anxiety disorders) had poorer QoL and lower LoF. There were a number of predictors of lower levels of QoL and disability, including both socio-demographic variables (e.g. male gender, increase in age, poor financial situation, retirement, reduced number of close significant others), ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis (mainly anxiety, somatoform disorders) and presence of medical disorders (mainly heart and respiratory diseases). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that QoL and LoF were quite acceptable in European elderly people. A series of variables, including psychiatric and somatic disorders, as well as socio-demographic factor influenced in a negative way both QoL and LoF. More specific links between mental health, social and health services dedicated to this segment of the population, should be implemented in order to provide better care for elderly people with conditions impacting their QoL and functioning.

Mentalization-Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: Efficacy, Effectiveness, and New Developments.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to outline the most recent evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for personality disorders (PD) from 2015 to 2018 and to describe new treatment developments. RECENT FINDINGS: Since 2015, 14 new-primarily effectiveness-MBT trials have been published. The main body of studies investigated adult populations (n = 11), patients with a borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis (n = 8), and compared MBT with another psychotherapeutic treatment (n = 6). The majority of studies suggest that MBT has the potential to improve the clinical outcomes for adolescents and adults with a PD diagnosis, particularly BPD, and also with comorbid diagnoses and there are indications for changes in mentalizing being a specific mechanism of change promoted by MBT. Despite promising findings, there is an urgent need for methodological sound and sufficiently powered studies to investigate both the efficacy and effectiveness of MBT, especially beyond BPD.

The role of meaning in life in community-dwelling older adults with depression and relationship to other risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the association of Meaning in Life (MiL) with sociodemographic and physical factors, and its association with depression in older people. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey with a sample of N = 2104 older adults from communities of four European countries was conducted, using an age-appropriate interview for the diagnosis of depression and the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE) questionnaire to assess MiL. RESULTS: Overall, MiL was particularly low in old male participants, in older people from Ferrara (Italy), those with a lower religious affiliation, fewer social contacts, and poorer physical health. Furthermore, younger old age (65-69 compared to 80-84 year olds), female gender, being married, living in Geneva and poorer physical health were significantly associated with a higher risk for depression. In addition, lower MiL significantly increased the likelihood to suffer from depression in older people. An interaction effect of study center and MiL also emerged: with decreasing MiL the risk for depression significantly increases in Hamburg compared to the other study centers. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the association of MiL and depression in old age. Integration of meaning-specific aspects in treatment for older adults with depression may be promising.

[Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1)]. / Psychometrische Evaluation der deutschen Version des Semistrukturierten Interviews zur Erfassung der DSM-5 Persönlichkeitsfunktionen (STiP-5.1).

BACKGROUND: The alternative model for personality disorders of the DSM-5 introduced an evidence-based, dimensional concept for the diagnosis of personality disorders. Criterion A, operationalized with the Level of Personality Functioning Scale, differentiates different levels of impairments in personality functioning. The Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1) is a valid, reliable, and economic interview for the assessment of Criterion A. However, to date, there is no validated form of the interview in the German language. The aim of this study is the psychometric evaluation of the German version of the STiP-5.1. METHODS: The validity and reliability of the STiP-5.1 was investigated in a sample of healthy adults (n=55) and inpatients diagnosed with a mental disorder (n=55). Construct validity was evaluated by correlations with questionnaires for the assessment of structural impairment (IPO-16, OPD-SQS), and maladaptive personality traits (SCID-II-PQ). Interrater reliability was investigated in a sub-sample of healthy individuals and inpatients (n=50). RESULTS: With regard to validity, high correlations (r=0.68-0.78) between STiP-5.1- ratings and convergent self-report questionnaires were found. The sub-sample showed good interrater reliability (ICC=0.93). Interviews took 38 min. on average. CONCLUSIONS: The German version of the STiP-5.1 provides a valid, reliable and economic interview procedure for the dimensional assessment of personality functioning for research and clinical practice.

[Strengthening Attachment Competencies in Parents with Mental Illness: Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the Mentalization-Based Lighthouse Parenting Program]. / Bindungskompetenzen psychisch kranker Eltern stärken: Adaptation und Pilottestung des mentalisierungsbasierten Leuchtturm-Elternprogramms.

Strengthening Attachment Competencies in Parents with Mental Illness: Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the Mentalization-Based Lighthouse Parenting Program Mentalizing describes the imaginative ability to understand human behaviour in terms of mental states. Parents with mental illnesses and experiences of early maltreatment frequently show impairments in mentalizing, which negatively impact their caregiving competences for the child. A number of mentalization-based programs to strengthen parental competences have been developed and most of them have been positively evaluated with regard to their efficacy. However, approaches which specifically aim to reach highly impaired families with children from different age groups and which can be implemented in psychiatric settings are currently lacking. The newly adapted mentalization-based Lighthouse-Parenting Program aims to fill this gap and strengthen competences of parents with a mental illness. The specific MBT-based stance, the structure and content of this new program are outlined and first results of a pilot test are presented. The program is a promising approach, which can easily be trained and implemented in existing mental health care systems. The Lighthouse-Parenting Program aims to improve the relationship between parent and child, to reduce parental stress and in the long-term to promote the child's development. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the program's effectiveness is currently being planned.

Prevalence of personality disorders in the general adult population in Western countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Personality disorder is a severe health issue. However, the epidemiology of personality disorders is insufficiently described and surveys report very heterogeneous rates.AimsWe aimed to conduct a meta-analysis on the prevalence of personality disorders in adult populations and examine potential moderators that affect heterogeneity. METHOD: We searched PsycINFO, PSYNDEX and Medline for studies that used standardised diagnostics (DSM-IV/-5, ICD-10) to report prevalence rates of personality disorders in community populations in Western countries. Prevalence rates were extracted and aggregated by random-effects models. Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were performed and publication bias was assessed. RESULTS: The final sample comprised ten studies, with a total of 113 998 individuals. Prevalence rates were fairly high for any personality disorder (12.16%; 95% CI, 8.01-17.02%) and similarly high for DSM Clusters A, B and C, between 5.53 (95% CI, 3.20-8.43%) and 7.23% (95% CI, 2.37-14.42%). Prevalence was highest for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (4.32%; 95% CI, 2.16-7.16%) and lowest for dependent personality disorder (0.78%; 95% CI, 0.37-1.32%). A low prevalence was significantly associated with expert-rated assessment (versus self-rated) and reporting of descriptive statistics for antisocial personality disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological studies on personality disorders in community samples are rare, whereas prevalence rates are fairly high and vary substantially depending on samples and methods. Future studies investigating the epidemiology of personality disorders based on the DSM-5 and ICD-11 and models of personality functioning and traits are needed, and efficient treatment should be a priority for healthcare systems to reduce disease burden.Declaration of interestNone.

Anxiety Disorders in Old Age: Psychiatric Comorbidities, Quality of Life, and Prevalence According to Age, Gender, and Country.

OBJECTIVES: Previous estimates of the prevalence of anxiety disorders in late life vary greatly due to the lack of reliable diagnostic tools. This MentDis_ICF65+ study assessed 12-month prevalence rates of anxiety disorders and age- and gender-related differences in comorbidities, as well as impact on quality of life. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional multicenter survey. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample comprised 3,142 men and women aged 65 to 84 years, living in five European countries and Israel. MEASUREMENTS: Anxiety disorders were assessed using computer-assisted face-to-face interviews with an age-appropriate diagnostic interview (CIDI65+). RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety disorders was 17.2%. Agoraphobia was the most frequent disorder (4.9%), followed by panic disorder (3.8%), animal phobia (3.5%), general anxiety disorder (3.1%), post-traumatic stress disorder (1.4%), social phobia (1.3%), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (0.8%). The prevalence rate of any anxiety disorder dropped by 40% to 47% in adults aged 75-84 years compared with those aged 65-74 years. Women were twice as likely to present with agoraphobia or general anxiety disorder as men. Only panic disorder and phobia were associated with comorbid major depression. The negative relationship with quality of life was limited to agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The age-appropriate CIDI65+ led to higher prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in the elderly, yet to weaker associations with comorbidities and impaired quality of life compared with previous studies.

Predisposing, enabling, and need factors of service utilization in the elderly with mental health problems.

ABSTRACTBackground:Empirical data on the use of services due to mental health problems in older adults in Europe is lacking. The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with service utilization in the elderly. METHODS: As part of the MentDis_ICF65+ study, N = 3,142 people aged 65-84 living in the community in six European and associated countries were interviewed. Based on Andersen's behavioral model predisposing, enabling, and need factors were analyzed with logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 7% of elderly and 11% of those with a mental disorder had used a service due to mental health problems in the last 12 months. Factors significantly associated with underuse were male sex, lower education, living in the London catchment area, higher functional impairment and more comorbid mental disorders. The most frequently reported barrier to service use was personal beliefs, e.g. "I can deal with my problem on my own" (90%). CONCLUSION: Underutilization of mental health services among older people in the European community is common and interventions are needed to achieve an adequate use of services.

Prevalence of mental disorders in elderly people: the European MentDis_ICF65+ study.

BACKGROUND: Except for dementia and depression, little is known about common mental disorders in elderly people. AIMS: To estimate current, 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of mental disorders in different European and associated countries using a standardised diagnostic interview adapted to measure the cognitive needs of elderly people. METHOD: The MentDis_ICF65+ study is based on an age-stratified, random sample of 3142 older men and women (65-84 years) living in selected catchment community areas of participating countries. RESULTS: One in two individuals had experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, one in three within the past year and nearly one in four currently had a mental disorder. The most prevalent disorders were anxiety disorders, followed by affective and substance-related disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous studies we found substantially higher prevalence rates for most mental disorders. These findings underscore the need for improving diagnostic assessments adapted to the cognitive capacity of elderly people. There is a need to raise awareness of psychosocial problems in elderly people and to deliver high-quality mental health services to these individuals.

Study approach and field work procedures of the MentDis_ICF65+ project on the prevalence of mental disorders in the older adult European population.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the study approach and field procedures of the MentDis_ICF65+ study, which aims to assess the prevalence of mental disorders in older adults. METHODS: An age-appropriate version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI65+) was developed and tested with regard to its feasibility and psychometric properties in a pre-test and pilot phase. In the cross-sectional survey an age-stratified, random sample of older adults (65-84 years) living in selected catchment areas of five European countries and Israel was recruited. RESULTS: N = 3142 participants (mean age 73.7 years, 50.7% female) took part in face-to-face interviews. The mean response rate was 20% and varied significantly between centres, age and gender groups. Sociodemographic differences between the study centres appeared for the place of birth, number of grandchildren, close significants, retirement and self-rated financial situation. The comparison of the MentDis_ICF65+ sample with the catchment area and country population of the study centres revealed significant differences, although most of these were numerically small. CONCLUSIONS: The study will generate new information on the prevalence of common mental disorders among older adults across Europe using an age-appropriate, standardized diagnostic instrument and a harmonized approach to sampling. Generalizability of the findings and a potentially limited representativeness are discussed.

[Mentalization-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder - Concept and Efficacy]. / Mentalisierungsbasierte Therapie bei Adoleszenten mit Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung ­ Konzept und Wirksamkeit.

Mentalization-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder - Concept and Efficacy In recent years, the concept of mentalization has become increasingly important in practice and research. It describes the imaginative ability to understand human behavior in terms of mental states. Mentalization is a central component to understand the etiology and to treat patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both adult and adolescent patients with BPD have limited mentalization abilities, which can be reliably assessed using the Reflective Functioning Scale. Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) was originally developed as an integrative approach for the treatment of adult patients with BPD. It is a manualized psychotherapy with psychodynamic roots with the aim to increase mentalizing abilities of patients. Since then, MBT has been further developed for other mental disorders as well as for the treatment of different age groups. One of these developments is MBT for Adolescents (MBT-A). MBT-A includes both individual as well as family sessions and the average duration of therapy is about twelve months. MBT-A can be applied in inpatient and outpatient settings and aims to improve mentalizing abilities in emotionally important relationships and the whole family system. First studies have found evidence for the efficacy of MBT-A. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is currently being carried out to evaluate the efficacy of MBT-A for adolescents with conduct disorder. However, further evidence for efficacy and further conceptual development is needed.