The perceived relative strength of the therapeutic alliance: perceptions of own and partner's alliance and psychotherapeutic outcome in time-limited couples therapy.

Autor:	Bedi RP, Horvath AO
Zdroj:	Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy; 2004, Vol. 3 Issue 4, p65-80, 16p
Abstrakt:	The association between the perceived relative strength of the therapeutic alliance in couples therapy and psychotherapeutic outcome was investigated. The perceived relative strength of the couples therapeutic alliance was classified into three categories: a balanced alliance (an individual perceives his/her own alliance and the partner's alliance as approximately equal in strength), a positively biased or blessed alliance (an individual perceives his/her alliance as stronger than the perception of the partner's alliance) and a negatively biased or just biased alliance (an individual perceives his/her alliance as weaker than the perception of the partner's alliance). The impact of a consensus or non-consensus within each partner about the perceived relative strength of the alliance on outcome was also investigated. The Alliance Inventory for Couples was used as a measure of the alliance and outcome was assessed with the Family Environment Scale and the Marital Satisfaction Scale. No statistically reliable relation was found between perceived relative strength of the alliance and improved outcome. Consensus was also not predictive of outcome. These findings failed to confirm previous theoretical propositions and empirical research. Possible reasons for discrepancies between the current findings and previous research are provided. The distinction between perceived strength and strength based upon independent self-report measures; and the designation of biased, blessed and balanced alliances merit future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze:	Complementary Index
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