Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of global disability. Childhood maltreatment, a common risk factor affecting nearly 60% of individuals with MDD, defines a treatment-resistant subtype that requires more effective, mechanism-based interventions. 

The Junior Research Group “Targeting stress in depression with childhood maltreatment” focuses on improving psychological treatment for this distinct depression phenotype. We develop and evaluate a trauma-sensitive group psychotherapy designed to directly modulate stress-related mechanisms in individuals with MDD and childhood maltreatment. MBSST includes trauma-sensitive mindfulness practices for emotion regulation, promotes healthy behaviors, addresses interpersonal difficulties, and integrates schema-based elements to process the long-term impact of traumatic childhood experiences.

This work aims to build the foundation for personalized, mechanism-based therapeutic approaches for a difficult-to-treat depression subtype, advancing precision mental health care and improving treatment outcomes for individuals with depression and histories of childhood maltreatment.

The Junior Research Group is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung (BWS) Sonderprogramm with approximately 1.7 million euros from November 2025 to October 2031.