What predicts quality of the therapeutic alliance in a cognitive behavioural treatment for children with anxiety disorders? Therapeutic alliance measured from the patient, therapist and observer perspective
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study assessed the quality of the therapeutic alliance in a cognitive-behavioural treatment for anxious children, and examined possible predictors of the alliance. Participants were 20 clients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The therapeutic alliance was measured from the patient, therapist, and observer perspective early and late in therapy. Predictors included in the study were: 1) background predictors (gender, age condition, and treatment format); 2) parental style; 3) self-concept; 4) symptom severity; and 5) motivation and treatment credibility. Firstly, results showed that patients' and therapists' alliance ratings were high and similar, while observer-rated alliance was lower. Secondly, the correlation between patient-, therapist-, and observer-rated alliance varied. There was a significant correlation between patient- and therapist-rated early alliance. No correlation was found between observer-rated alliance and patient-rated alliance. Observer-rated and therapist-rated alliance was significantly correlated. Thirdly, the therapeutic alliance was stable over time for all the perspectives. Fourthly, predictors of the alliance varied for the different perspectives. Predictors of patient-rated alliance were mother-rated treatment credibility and self concept. Predictors of therapist-rated alliance were motivation, mother-rated treatment credibility, gender (girls were rated higher) and patient-rated treatment credibility. Predictors of observer-rated alliance were patient motivation and an autonomous parental style.
Authors: Marianne Christensen, Randi Sigrun Skogstad
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2741101282