A re-examination of process–outcome relations in cognitive therapy for depression: Disaggregating within-patient and between-patient effects. (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sasso, Katherine E.; Strunk, Daniel R.; Braun, Justin D.; DeRubeis, Robert J.; Brotman, Melissa A.
• Is Part Of: Psychotherapy research. Volume 26:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: cognitive behavior therapy -- depression -- alliance -- process research -- statistical methods; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Research -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychothérapie -- Périodiques; Psychothérapie -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2015.1026423
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-3307

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: We previously examined alliance and therapist adherence as predictors of symptom change. Applying a new analytic strategy, we can ensure that any relations identified were not attributable to stable patient characteristics.Method: Participants were 57 depressed cognitive therapy patients. We disaggregated within- and between-patient variation in process measures.Results: Between-patients, variability in adherence to Cognitive Methods and Negotiating/Structuring predicted patients' symptom change. Within-patients, only variability in ratings of adherence to Cognitive Methods predicted next-session symptom change.Conclusions: Relations involving between-patient process variables are potentially attributable to stable patient characteristics. However, the relation of within-patient Cognitive Methods and session-to-session symptom change cannot be attributed to stable characteristics and is consistent with a causal relationship.