Less directiveness by therapists improves drinking outcomes of reactant clients in alcoholism treatment

TitleLess directiveness by therapists improves drinking outcomes of reactant clients in alcoholism treatment
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsKarno, MP, Longabaugh, R
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume73
Pagination262-267
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association
Place PublishedUS
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number0022-006X1939-2117
Accession Number2005-02854-008
KeywordsAlcohol Rehabilitation, Alcoholism, alcoholism treatment, Client Attitudes, Communication, drinking outcomes, Psychological Reactance, Psychotherapeutic Processes, psychotherapy treatment, reactant clients, Therapist Characteristics, therapist directiveness
Abstract

In this study, the authors examined the impact of the interaction between clients' trait reactance and therapists' directiveness on the effectiveness of psychotherapy treatment for alcoholism. Ratings of videotaped treatment sessions were used to measure clients' reactance (N = 141) and therapists' directiveness. Models tested for the interaction as a predictor of 1-year posttreatment drinking quantity and frequency. Results indicate that directiveness had a negative impact on outcomes for clients at medium and high levels of reactance but did not affect drinking among clients low in reactance. Increased therapist use of interpretation, confrontation, and introduction of topics was most predictive of more frequent and larger quantities of drinking among reactant clients. This study suggests that research on treatment process can yield significant theoretical and clinical benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

URL10.1037/0022-006X.73.2.262http://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2005-02854-008&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=sitekarno@ucla.eduhttp://psycnet.apa.org/journals/ccp/73/2/262/
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