Good-enough level and dose-effect models: Variation among outcomes and therapists. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Owen, Jesse J.; Adelson, Jill; Budge, Stephanie; Kopta, Stephen M.; Reese, Robert J.
• Is Part Of: Psychotherapy research. Volume 26:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: dose-effect -- good-enough level -- therapy outcomes -- multilevel modeling; dose-effetto -- livello sufficientement buono -- esiti di terapia -- modelli multilivello; Dose-Effect -- Good-Enough Level -- Therapieoutcomes -- Multilevel-Modeling; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Research -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychothérapie -- Périodiques; Psychothérapie -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2014.966346
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-3307

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The current study examined the good-enough level (GEL) and dose-effect model on three outcome variables: well-being, symptom distress, and life functioning, while accounting for therapist effects. The dose-effect model assumes the rate of change is consistent across clients, and the GEL model assumes that the rate of change will vary according to the total length of treatment.Method: The sample included 13, 664 clients who completed 2–100 sessions of therapy.Results: The GEL model was a better fit to the data compared to the dose-effect model for all outcomes. There were fewer changes in life functioning compared to well-being and symptom distress for clients. There were significant therapist effects for changes in symptom distress and life functioning, but not for the rates of change in well-being.Conclusion: Therapists should consider the rates of change for their own clients as well as by outcome.