Abstract
This paper outlines some of the problems involved in trying to review the literature on prognosis. LUBORSKY, et al. (1971) have already attempted such a review, but for psychotherapy only. They reviewed 161 quantitative studies and arrived at 3 main conclusions: (1) Patient variables provide the best predictors; patients who do well tend to be in better psychological health, to have higher motivation and to enjoy better educational and social assets, etc. (2) A few therapist variables also affect outcome; therapists who do well tend to have more experience, more empathy and to charge higher fees. As regards patient — therapist interaction, prognosis is improved if they are of similar social class or have similar interests. (3) The type of psychotherapy does not seem to make any difference, e.g. client-centred therapy gives much the same outcome as Adlerian analysis. Only the number of sessions or duration of treatment is clearly related to getting better.
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Nias, D.K.B. (1975). An Evaluation of the Factors that Influence Prognosis in Behaviour Therapy. In: Brengelmann, J.C., Quinn, J.T., Graham, P.J., Harbison, J.J.M., McAllister, H. (eds) Progress in Behaviour Therapy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66104-4_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66104-4_35
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