Comparative effectiveness of there-and-then versus here-and-now therapist interpretations in group psychotherapy.

Compared the effectiveness of 4 methods of group psychotherapy: interpretive there and then, interpretive here and now, these treatments in combination, and problem discussion (attention placebo). Validation checks ascertained that the therapist carried out his role as prescribed for each condition. To maximize the potential for gain in the 2 groups to be characterized by a higher level of there-and-then clinical inferences, 28 undergraduate clients and an insight-oriented therapist were employed. Outcome measures included the Rotter Internal-External Control Scale, a questionnaire on S's expectations of goal attainment, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. No clear evidence for the superiority of the insight-production groups was found. However, clients' experiences were less consistently positive in the here-and-now group and tended to be more consistently positive in the combined group than in the others. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)