Work

A re-examination of process–outcome relations in cognitive therapy for depression: Disaggregating within-patient and between-patient effects

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We previously examined alliance and therapist adherence as predictors of symptom change. Applying a new analytic strategy, we can ensure that any relations identified were not attributable to stable patient characteristics. METHOD: Participants were 57 depressed cognitive therapy patients. We disaggregated within- and between-patient variation in process measures. RESULTS: Between-patients, variability in adherence to Cognitive Methods and Negotiating/Structuring predicted patients' symptom change. Within-patients, only variability in ratings of adherence to Cognitive Methods predicted next-session symptom change. CONCLUSIONS: Relations involving between-patient process variables are potentially attributable to stable patient characteristics. However, the relation of within-patient Cognitive Methods and session-to-session symptom change cannot be attributed to stable characteristics and is consistent with a causal relationship.

Source: Psychotherapy Research

DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2015.1026423

Authors: Katherine E. Sasso, Daniel R. Strunk, Justin D. Braun, Robert J. DeRubeis, Melissa A. Brotman

Institutions: The Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, National Institute of Mental Health

Language: English

Topic: Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health