T. Byram Karasu

Psychological Mindedness as a predictor of psychotherapy outcome: A preliminary report

This study investigated the properties of a new measure of psychological mindness (PM). A 45-item self-report questionnaire was administered to consecutive admissions to a large outpatient clinic that provides primarily psychodynamically oriented individual psychotherapy. The PM scores of a sample of 44 of these patients who attended a median of 15 sessions were correlated with several outcome measures obtained from retrospective chart reviews. These measures consisted of the number of sessions attended, discharge ratings, and change scores on a Global Assessment Scale (GAS) and on a symptom checklist. Coefficient alpha for the Psychological Mindedness (PM) Scale indicated high reliability. Total PM score correlated significantly with three of the outcome measures. Twenty of the 45-items were good predictors of one or more outcome measures.

CAN PERSONALITY TRAITS PREDICT PSYCHOTHERAPY OUTCOME

Ninety-six new admissions to a psychiatric outpatient clinic who attended a median of 14 therapy sessions completed a self-report Personality Profile Index prior to their first session. This index provides scores on eight dimensions of personality, a conflict measure, and a measure of social desirability. Scores were correlated with number of sessions and outcome as measured by a Symptom Checklist and by a Global Assessment Scale (GAS). Improvement was significantly related to number of sessions attended. Patients scoring high on being rejecting of others (rejection) were significantly less likely to show improvement after therapy. Rejection, aggression, passivity, and conflict were significantly related to the extent of symptoms and problems with which patients presented at the clinic.

Visions of the Self

The authors presents an intellectually comfortable and conceptually neat integration of what have been clashing and competitive theories of the salient features in the development of the self. While his emphasis is on pathological outcomes, this approach highlights the stresses besetting the child and their ultimate impact on his or her sense of self.

Development of a Therapist Activity Rating Scale: Preliminary Findings

A 61-item scale was constructed of relatively explicit descriptions of behavior in which a psychotherapist might engage. The scale is largely noninferential, is basically atheoretical but applicable to psychodynamically oriented therapy, may be completed by either the therapist or an independent rater with minimal training, and may be used to rate entire therapy sessions or specified segments of sessions. The scale shows high interrater reliability and discriminant validity.