Premium
The Relationship Between Skill Deficits and Disability–A Transdiagnostic Study
Author(s) -
Hofmann Mareike,
Fehlinger Tobias,
Stenzel Nikola,
Rief Winfried
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22156
Subject(s) - psychopathology , psychology , clinical psychology , distress , relevance (law) , law , political science
Objective Transdiagnostic skills (e.g., emotion regulation, stress management) and related self‐concepts (e.g., self‐esteem) are associated with the pathogenesis and course of different mental disorders. Evidence suggests that skill deficits coincide with not only specific psychopathology but also psychological strain and disability. So far, studies examining the relevance of several skills for a patient's disability are lacking. The aim of the present study was the combined assessment of 7 skills and self‐concept variables to simultaneously analyze their relevance for disability. Method We interviewed inpatients ( N = 183) both on admission and discharge to assess 7 specific skills, 7 areas of daily living disability, and psychopathological distress. Results Results support a relationship between several skills and disability (especially stress management), even while controlling for psychopathology. The improvement of skills and related self‐concepts during therapy contributed substantially to the improvement of disability ratings. Conclusion This study highlights the transdiagnostic importance of skills as well as the improvement of skills and related self‐concepts as major determinants of disability. Parts of these effects are robust, even while controlling for psychopathology.