Looking weakly in all the wrong places? Comment on Shapiro et al. (1994).
This invited comment applauds the impressive outcome study conducted by Shapiro and his colleagues (1994) in which psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy was compared with cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression. Our limited argument with their article is the uncritical support accorded to the equivalent outcomes conclusion and the implicit rejection of differential efficacy among the psychotherapies as a function of patient variables. Two principal objections are that Shapiro et al. overestimated the statistical power of their analyses to detect genuine interactions and selected variables that are not particularly relevant or amenable to psychological treatment.
Norcross
J C
JC
Department of Psychology, University of Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510-4596.
Rossi
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome