Work

Adaptation of the measurement methodology of the WAI(S) working (psychotherapeutic) alliance inventory (short)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Context and relevance. The article is devoted to the primary adaptation of the WAI-S (Working Alliance Inventory — Short; Inventory of the Working Alliance — Abbreviated version) measurement methodology in a Russian-speaking sample. A therapeutic alliance is a specific relationship that is formed between a psychologist and a client in the process of psychotherapy and counseling, and is also related to the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Today, there are no adapted tools for measuring the alliance in the psychologist-client dyad in Russian. Goal. This study is aimed at translating, adapting, and evaluating the psychometric characteristics of WAI-S. Objective. This study is aimed at translating, adapting, and evaluating the psychometric characteristics of WAI-S. Hypothesis. The translated and adapted WAI-S methodology will have sufficient psychometric validity characteristics to use the work alliance assessment. Methods and materials. The study included a single slice after 4 meetings between the client and therapist, using a short version of WAI-S (Working Alliance Inventory-S) and the Session Rating Scale (SRS, Session Rating Scale, Miller, Duncan, & Johnson, 2002) to assess the approximate validity. The study involved 226 clients with an average age of 24.23 (min = 18, max = 58, mod = 21), and 228 questionnaires filled out by psychotherapists, 24 unique therapists (average age = 36, min = 22, max = 74, mod = 25). Results. The analysis showed high rates of internal consistency of the scales, a one-factor structure of the methodology was obtained in both the psychotherapist and client versions. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the validity of the one-factor version of WAI-S and its suitability for use in Russian psychological research and practice.

Source: Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy

DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2025330209

Authors: K.D. Khlomov, T.Yu. Pavlenko, M.A. Varenov, L.A. Ozhigova, V.A. Agarkov, A.B. Savin

Institutions: The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Kuban State University, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology

Language: English

Topic: Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration