| Abstract: | Examined the impact of (a) exploration of the psychodynamic roots of patients' conflicts, (b) warmth and friendliness of the therapist-offered relationship, and (c) positiveness of patients' attitudes toward working in therapy on the outcome of brief therapy with 35 college males exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social introversion. Symptoms were confirmed by elevated scores on the Depression, Psychasthenia, and Social Introversion scales, respectively, of the MMPI. Analyses of process ratings for audiotaped segments from 4 sessions throughout the course of therapy revealed that the activities of therapists of differing theoretical orientations and of professional vs untrained, "inherently helpful" therapists could be distinguished. Although patients' attitudes toward the therapist and patient involvement in the therapy process did not differ as a function of the type of therapist, the process dimension that most consistently predicted therapy outcome was patient involvement. Exploratory processes and therapist-offered relationship had a lesser influence on outcome. (71 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
