title: Psychodynamic variables as predictors of psychotherapy outcome.
abstract: Predicting the outcome of psychotherapy is a central concern in psychiatry. Twenty-one medical students seeking psychotherapy were evaluated on a number of psychodynamic and process variables using self-report scales and scales completed by the therapist before, during, and after psychotherapy. There were significant differences between patients and a comparison group on eight variables before therapy. Ten psychodynamic variables (six representing ego defense mechanisms) and four process variables were found to be highly correlated with outcome measures; the process variables were the best predictors of outcome. The data support the use of psychodynamic and process variables as predictors of outcome in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology