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Interpersonal contribution to outcome: the relation of interpersonal distress and symptomatic improvement as a result of psychotherapy
Author(s) -
Hardy Amanda O.,
Tracey Terence J. G.,
GliddenTracey Cynthia,
Hess Timothy R.,
Rohlfing Jessica E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0879
pISSN - 1063-3995
DOI - 10.1002/cpp.709
Subject(s) - distress , psychology , interpersonal communication , clinical psychology , interpersonal relationship , outcome (game theory) , psychological distress , mental health , psychotherapist , psychiatry , social psychology , mathematics , mathematical economics
The study utilized a 32‐item brief measure of interpersonal problems (IIP) to examine interpersonal distress in relation to symptomology and treatment outcome as assessed by the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (OQ‐45). The study included a community sample of 210 individuals receiving psychotherapy at a mental health training facility. A number of significant correlations were found between interpersonal distresses with symptomology. The highest correlations were found between levels of general interpersonal distress and symptoms relating to psychiatric and social distress at the onset of therapy; in general the IIP did not differentiate between symptomology types. The study failed to replicate previous research indicating a relation between facets of interpersonal problems with treatment outcome. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: • Evidence is provided for the use of a brief measure of interpersonal problems (IIP‐32) as a valid alternative to lengthier versions in a clinical setting. • Interpersonal problems are associated with various facets of clinical symptomology but do little to differentiate between symptomology types. • Reported rates of general interpersonal distress at the onset of therapy differ among clients that do and do not make clinically significant changes in areas of overall symptomology and interpersonal difficulties.