Patient rational verbal behavior as an antecedent to outcome in psychotherapy

Investigated the relationship between the rationality of patient and therapist verbal behavior during therapy and later outcome. The patient sample was comprised of 20 psychoneurotics, judged as attractive patients, who remained in weekly treatment for a minimum of 10 sessions. Therapists were 4 psy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.) Ill.), 1971-01, Vol.8 (3), p.199-201
Main Authors: Wargo, Donald G, Millis, Willard E, Hendricks, Norman G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjustment
Human
Neurology
Psychotherapy
Symptoms
Therapists
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Investigated the relationship between the rationality of patient and therapist verbal behavior during therapy and later outcome. The patient sample was comprised of 20 psychoneurotics, judged as attractive patients, who remained in weekly treatment for a minimum of 10 sessions. Therapists were 4 psychiatric residents in varying stages of training. The concept of rationality was measured by 8 adjectives, each of which was rated by 3 judges who listened to 15-min samples from the 5th interview. 5 outcome measures were utilized: social adjustment, discomfort, change in target symptoms, and patient and therapist global ratings of improvement. Consistent negative correlations were found between therapist, patient, and sum of therapist-patient rationality scores and all 5 outcome measures, 9 of 15 reaching significance. Results are interpreted as consistent with those of C. Rogers and E. Gendlin, since the measures of rationality are posited to tap defensive intellectualization.
ISSN:0033-3204
1939-1536
DOI:10.1037/h0086658