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Prognostic factors with four treatment methods for phobic disorders
Author(s) -
Persson G.,
Alström J. E.,
Nordlund C. L.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1984.tb02500.x
Subject(s) - psychology , anxiety , personality , clinical psychology , personality disorders , psychiatry , social psychology
– The associations between prognostic factors and outcome with four treatment methods for phobic disorders were studied in 103 women. The prognostic factors were sociodemographic, intelligence, personality, early interpersonal relations, aspects of previous and current mental disorder, and intensity of symptoms at start of treatment. All patients received basal therapy, which implied information, advice on exposure in vivo , and anxiolytics. One group received this treatment only (B), while others received supplementary treatment, with therapist‐directed prolonged exposure in vivo (PE), supportive therapy (ST) of dynamic type, or relaxation (R). The patients were treated for 3 months, with a 9‐month follow‐up period. Factors associated with a better outcome were: PE: greater needs for succourance and lower avoidance; ST: higher social class, better relations between parents and with father during childhood, inner conflicts as cause, and lower levels of free anxiety; R: satisfaction with contact when aged 15, bereavement as a cause, and lower levels of several symptoms; B: greater needs for order, stress at the onset, shorter duration and satisfaction with work. There were thus interactions between prognostic factors and type of treatment. The prognostic factors should be taken into account in the choice and design of treatment.