A comparison of the effect of pre-treatment questionnaires on therapeutic alliance and attendance rates

• Main Author: Castle, Ailie
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2001

Efficacy studies are one of the most common designs in psychotherapy, aiming to demonstrate the effectiveness of a particular type of treatment for a particular disorder. However as Seligman (1995) argues, this design omits a number of important factors in therapy. These factors have been identified as 'common factors'. Hubble, Duncan and Miller (1999) point to these factors as accounting for what works in therapy. The therapeutic alliance has been identified as one of the most important factors in therapy and has been positively associated with outcome. Solution-Focussed Therapy (SFT) utilises the therapeutic alliance and advocates the use of a number of techniques, such as recognising pre-treatment improvement, in order to promote hope, expectancy and motivation. A number of studies have suggested that these techniques may improve attendance at therapy and therapeutic alliance. This study aimed to determine whether administering a more solution-oriented questionnaire prior to treatment, compared to a more pathology focussed questionnaire, would have a positive impact on therapeutic alliance and attendance at therapy. All patients offered a new appointment from 1st July 2000 at an adult clinical psychology department in Tayside were asked to participate in the study. The study comprised 3 experimental groups; a group receiving the pathology focussed questionnaire (The Symptom Checklist - 90 revised); a group receiving the solutionfocussed questionnaire (Solution-Focussed Intake Form); and a control group, receiving no questionnaire. The secretary randomly assigned patients to one group when the initial appointment was offered. At the third session, all subjects were asked to complete the Session Rating Form, which measures therapeutic alliance. Differences between the groups on therapeutic alliance scores and attendance were explored. The results are discussed with reference to the previous research findings.