Common Change Factors and Mediation of the Alliance-Outcome Link During Treatment of Depression

Schwartz, Caroline and Hilbert, Sven and Schlegl, Sandra and Diedrich, Alice and Voderholzer, Ulrich (2018) Common Change Factors and Mediation of the Alliance-Outcome Link During Treatment of Depression. JOURNAL OF CONSULTING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, 86 (7). pp. 584-592. ISSN 0022-006X, 1939-2117

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Abstract

Objective: Alliance, Mastery/Self-Efficacy, Problem Actualization, and Problem Clarification exemplify common or nonspecific factors of change in psychotherapy (Grawe, 1997). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that other change factors mediate the alliance-outcome link on a within-person level over the treatment course. Method: Our sample consisted of 193 patients with major depression undergoing intensive inpatient cognitive-behavioral-based therapy. Each week, we assessed depressive symptoms (using the Beck Depression Inventory-II) and change factors during individual therapy. Multilevel mediation models were used to test our hypothesis. Results: As expected, within-person change in Alliance (differentiated into Emotional Bond and Contentment with the Therapist) as well as Mastery/Self-Efficacy and Problem Clarification predicted symptom change over the course of therapy. Moreover, the relation between Contentment with the Therapist and subsequent change in depression was mediated by increased Mastery/Self-Efficacy on a within-person level. Conclusions: Our data suggest that within-person change of alliance and other general change factors precede symptom change in depressive patients, and that the link between alliance and outcome may be partially mediated by enhanced Mastery/Self-Efficacy. Future studies should further elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the alliance-outcome link.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY; WORKING ALLIANCE; SELF-EFFICACY; MULTILEVEL MEDIATION; ADULT DEPRESSION; PSYCHOTHERAPY; DISORDER; METAANALYSIS; SYMPTOMS; SESSION; cognitive-behavioral therapy; depression; alliance; change factors
Subjects: 100 Philosophy & psychology > 150 Psychology
Divisions: Psychology and Pedagogy > Institut für Psychologie
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 06 Mar 2020 09:44
Last Modified: 06 Mar 2020 09:44
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/14358

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