title: Patients' and therapists' shared and unique views of the therapeutic alliance: an investigation using confirmatory factor analysis in a nested design.
abstract: The characteristically large general factor found in measures of the therapeutic alliance was analyzed by use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a nested design. Ratings by 38 therapists and their 144 patients on the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales (CALPAS), the Revised Penn Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ-R), and the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) were adjusted for therapist effects. A set of models for patient and therapist ratings was tested with CFA, and a 3-factor model was confirmed, chi 2(4) = 7.19, p > .13; GFI = .98; RMSR = .02; CFI = 1.0. A shared-view factor (best represented by HAQ-R) accounted for 44% of patients' and 27% of therapists' variance. Unique factors (best represented by WAI) accounted for 56% of therapists' and 43% of patients' variance. Patient views split between HAQ (helpfulness) and WAI (goals, tasks) factors; The WAI factor was most expressive of therapist views. Patients and therapists tended to agree on helpfulness and on therapist clarity about goals and tasks. A multimeasure approach to alliance assessment is recommended.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Psychological Clinic, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barends
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansell
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gutfreund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy