Problem-solving strategies in learning disabled and normal boys: Developmental and instructional effects.

A developmentally sensitive problem-solving task, the 20-Questions Game, was utilized in this study to examine development- and treatment-related variables among 48 learning disabled and 48 normal boys of two age levels (8–10 years old and 11–23 years old). Subjects performed on three different versions of the experimental task before, immediately after, and two weeks after receiving one of two treatment packages, which differed in their emphasis on task-specific and metacognitive strategies. Results indicated that both younger boys and learning disabled boys demonstrated less efficient problem-solving skills than their older and normally achieving peers. In all subject groups, boys' ability to make use of specific problem-solving skills was highly influenced by variations in stimulus characteristics. Brief training was effective in improving the performance of all subject groups on trained and untrained materials at posttest and follow-up trials. However, expected differences in effectiveness between treatment packages were not realized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sudden gains in recovering from depression: Are they also found in psychotherapies other than cognitive-behavioral therapy?

Following T. Z. Tang and R. J. DeRubeis's (1999) report of sudden gains (a sudden and substantial improvement in depression symptoms in 1 between-session interval) in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression, this study explored sudden gains in supportive-expressive (SE) psychotherapy. Studies suggested that CBT sudden gains are caused by cognitive changes, which is a factor specific to CBT. Thus, sudden gains might not be expected in SE psychotherapy. Contrary to that expectation, sudden gains in SE psychotherapy were found, and they showed similar magnitude, affected a similar percentage of patients, and occurred at about the same time in treatment as CBT sudden gains. However, the symptom gains from the SE psychotherapy sudden gains were much less stable than the CBT sudden gains and showed a much higher rate of reversal before treatment ended. The long-term benefits of SE psychotherapy sudden gains also appear less robust than CBT sudden gains. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disabuse of the drug metaphor: Psychotherapy process-outcome correlations.

The drug metaphor suggests that if a process component (e.g., interpretation) is an active ingredient of a successful psychotherapy, then administering a relatively high level of it should yield a relatively positive outcome, and levels of the process component and the outcome should be correlated across clients. Measures of 5 theoretically relevant, reliably measured verbal process components were compared with the rate of change in 3 standard symptom intensity measures across the brief treatments of 39 (mainly depressed) psychotherapy clients. The expected significant process-outcome correlations were not found. These results are discussed as they illuminate some misleading assumptions that underlie many conventional studies of psychotherapy process and outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of psychotherapy: Delphi data and concluding observations.

Studied predictions of trends in psychotherapy over the next decade by 75 psychologists, using Delphi methodology. Directive, present-centered, problem-focused, and brief therapies were expected to increase, whereas historically oriented, comparatively passive, and long-term approaches were predicted to decrease. Self-help groups and social workers were expected to proliferate, while the proportion of psychotherapy provided by psychiatrists was expected to diminish. Integrative, systemic, and cognitive orientations will be in the ascendancy, as opposed to classical psychoanalysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The managed care movement and the future of psychotherapy.

Examines the effects of managed health care (MHC) on the practice of psychotherapy. MHC has led to new models for intervention that fit the clients' needs within the context of their environment rather than interpreting client behavior to fit a model. Characteristics of MHC psychotherapy include a goal-directed, problem-solving orientation; efficient use of time; outpatient orientation; egalitarian distribution of services; conscious collaboration in the therapeutic alliance; the use of group, self-help, and community resources; and cost effectiveness and high quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Income and outcome.

B. F. Riess's (see record 1967-13753-001) finding that patients involved in psychotherapy experience a greater increase in income than that expected on the basis of Department of Labor statistics is reexamined in the light of reports that men involved in exercise programs experience significant behavioral changes. The income change of 19 men involved in a physical exercise program with no psychotherapeutic intent was determined and found to be greater than that expected on the basis of Department of Labor statistics. The result is discussed in terms of the methodology of psychotherapy research, and the need for multiple-comparison groups, rather than simple "control" groups, in psychotherapy outcome studies is suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy for depression in adults: A meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies.

Although the subject has been debated and examined for more than 3 decades, it is still not clear whether all psychotherapies are equally efficacious. The authors conducted 7 meta-analyses (with a total of 53 studies) in which 7 major types of psychological treatment for mild to moderate adult depression (cognitive-behavior therapy, nondirective supportive treatment, behavioral activation treatment, psychodynamic treatment, problem-solving therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and social skills training) were directly compared with other psychological treatments. Each major type of treatment had been examined in at least 5 randomized comparative trials. There was no indication that 1 of the treatments was more or less efficacious, with the exception of interpersonal psychotherapy (which was somewhat more efficacious; d = 0.20) and nondirective supportive treatment (which was somewhat less efficacious than the other treatments; d = -0.13). The drop-out rate was significantly higher in cognitive-behavior therapy than in the other therapies, whereas it was significantly lower in problem-solving therapy. This study suggests that there are no large differences in efficacy between the major psychotherapies for mild to moderate depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Toward a unified conceptual framework of psychotherapy.

The increase in theoretical redundancy and the fact that all theories of psychotherapy possess weaknesses as well as strengths suggest that the time may be ripe for the emergence of a unified theory of psychotherapy. Three questions are addressed that are prerequisite to the development of a unified conceptual framework in psychotherapy: (1) What is the current state of the field of psychotherapy integration? (2) How do we move toward a unified theory of psychotherapy? and (3) What must a unified psychotherapy theory include? Unification is merely the next step in the evolution of psychotherapy theory, which is expected to oscillate between stages of unification and differentiation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical support for credibility and giving in cross-cultural psychotherapy.

Comments on S. Sue and N. Zane's (see record 1987-16319-001) work, which suggests that clients' perception of 2 interrelated processes (credibility and giving) are essential for therapeutic efficacy in cross-cultural counseling and psychotherapy. Data collected by the present author support Sue and Zane's contention that unless the therapist conveys to the client a problem-solving capability and an ability to give something viewed as directly beneficial, cultural knowledge and techniques are inadequate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Whither the bias: The female client's "edge" in psychotherapy?

Tested the hypothesis that, along several dimensions, women may be favored as psychotherapy clients by examining ratings of the process-relevant interpersonal characteristics and gross outcome expectancies for 72 new male and 92 new female clients (mean age 41 yrs). Eight male and 8 female therapists (mean age 36 yrs) completed a questionnaire that assessed clients on interpersonal evaluation and interpersonal control dimensions and included ratings of client's social skills, expected treatment success, expected termination conditions, and expected duration of treatment. Results show that, as hypothesized, males were ascribed more negative interpersonal characteristics and poorer social skills than females. Males were also rated higher on a composite "controllingness" variable. There was a significant client sex difference in expected duration of treatment (with females expected to stay longer), but no differences were found in expectancies regarding premature termination or treatment success. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The face of 2010: A Delphi poll on the future of psychotherapy.

A panel of 62 psychotherapy experts using Delphi methodology predicted psychotherapy trends in the next decade. The observers forecasted changes in theoretical orientations, therapeutic interventions, psychotherapy providers, treatment formats, and future scenarios. Cognitive-behavior, culture-sensitive, cognitive, and eclectic/integrative theories were predicted to increase the most, whereas classical psychoanalysis, solution-focused theories, and transactional analysis were expected to decline. Directive, self-change, and technological interventions were judged to be in the ascendancy. Master's-level psychotherapists along with "virtual" therapy services were expected to flourish. Forecast scenarios with the highest likelihood centered on expansion of evidence-based therapy, practice guidelines, behavioral medicine, and pharmacotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult attachment and history of psychotherapy in a normative sample.

The willingness to trust and self-disclose to others, key aspects in the decision to seek psychotherapy, is expected to vary across attachment classifications. The current study examined the association between internal working models of attachment and history of psychotherapy in a middle-class sample of 120 women, who were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (C. George, N. Kaplan, & M. Main, 1985/1996) and the Mental Health Survey (S. A. Riggs & D. Jacobvitz, 2002). Findings supported predictions that security of attachment is linked to history of psychotherapy. Specifically, adults classified as Dismissing were less likely than other adults to report a history of psychotherapy, whereas Secure adults reported the highest rates of couples therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training activities and styles of beginning supervisors: A survey.

Used the Psychotherapy Supervision Questionnaire to assess activities and difficulties of 75 psychotherapy supervisors (aged 23–57 yrs) with 2 yrs or less experience in supervision. 29 Ss were employed in university graduate school programs; the remaining 46 were employed in predoctoral internship sites. There were expected differences in the level and the number of trainees supervised by the 2 groups, and they differed markedly in their theoretical orientations, with Ss from internship sites placing greater emphasis on psychodynamic approaches. All Ss reported frequent difficulties with perceived trainee resistance, with understanding the presented material, and with suggesting interventions. 32% had no formal training for supervision prior to beginning supervision. An overwhelming majority expressed interest in receiving more training in supervision. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family problem solving versus home notes as early intervention with high-risk children.

Assigned 69 2nd–6th graders, identified as inconsistent because of extreme variability over baseline in math class work, to a home-note, family problem-solving, or control condition. Teachers scored Ss' math daily and sent home a Good-News Note with Ss in both intervention conditions when their daily means equaled or exceeded their baseline means. Ss in the family problem-solving condition wrote contingency contracts with their families, guided by a problem-solving board game, specifying consequences for receipt of Good-News Notes. Families in the home-note condition were instructed by letter to deliver favorable consequences on receipt of Good-News Notes. Compared to no treatment both forms of intervention significantly reduced class work scatter. Whereas Ss in the control and home-note conditions became less accurate during intervention, Ss in the family problem-solving condition maintained their accuracy. Only Ss in the family problem-solving condition demonstrated generalization to nonreinforced intervention probes. Involvement of the family meant that children produced high quality work even when their classmates' work dropped in quality and that they worked hard even when they expected no reward. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A scientific problem-solving model of psychological assessment.

Comments that much of the current controversy in psychodiagnostics is a result of the failure to differentiate between assessment as a process of problem solving and testing as one set of methods for problem solving. One solution to this problem is for practice and training to shift away from their current emphasis on knowledge and technical expertise and toward a conceptual approach to psychological assessment. A scientific, problem-solving model of psychological practice is described in detail as it applies to the process of assessment. The model consists of 3 basic elements: The problem-solving process, levels of organizational action, and methods. The problem-solving process itself is broken down into 6 steps: problem clarification, planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Implications of the model for the improvement of practice, for the determination of assessment competency, and for training are discussed. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of primary process in psychotherapy: I. Concrete thinking and the perception of syntax.

Explores the role of language in psychotherapy, placing emphasis on the communicative function of the patient's syntax. Syntax is viewed as the ordering or arrangement of words and, as such, can be seen as having evolved from the ordering or patterning that goes on in early life between people. It is suggested that syntactic relations in psychotherapy may be indicative of aspects of the patient's interpersonal style. Syntactical patterns are presented from 3 case studies. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of androgyny on the quality of psychotherapeutic relationships.

Tested the hypothesis that androgynous therapists would form more favorable psychotherapy relationships with their clients than masculine or feminine therapists. 52 psychology practicum dyads (therapists aged 26–40 yrs, clients aged 18–30 yrs) were examined in the context of in vivo psychotherapy sessions. The therapists and clients each completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory—Revised, and clients also completed the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory. Results indicate that androgynous therapists were judged to produce more favorable relationships, regardless of gender. It is suggested that this superior relationship with androgynous therapists may be attributed to their uniqueness in dealing with problem-solving and interpersonal situations and their ability to blend masculine and feminine orientations. They can be assertive, yet supportive; engage in activities both traditionally gender appropriate and non-sex-typed; demonstrate a greater array of personal behavior and emotionality; organize cognitive data in non-gender-related ways; and combine an open, naturalistic interviewing style with directiveness. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contingency and control beliefs as predictors of psychotherapy outcomes among children and adolescents.

Suggests that control-related beliefs may predict problem-solving behavior in psychotherapy if 2 conditions are met. First, distinction must be made among beliefs about outcome contingency, personal competence, and control (defined as the capacity to cause intended outcomes). Second, beliefs must be assessed for the specific behavioral domain that is the object of prediction (rather than global locus of control). This was tested among 78 8–17 yr olds referred for outpatient therapy. At the outset, Ss answered probes assessing contingency, competence, and control beliefs about solving problems at home and at school. At the outset and again 6 mo later when therapy had ended, parents reported the Ss' problems at home and at school, using the Child Behavior Checklist. Perceived contingency and perceived control accounted for 29% of the variance in total problem reduction, indicating that the 2 beliefs were related to problem solving during therapy. This suggests that the effects of child psychotherapy may be enhanced by targeting children's contingency and control beliefs for intervention. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)