Patients' view of the alliance of psychotherapy: exploratory factor analysis of three alliance measures.
Extending a previous study (R.L. Hatcher, A. Barends, J. Hansell, & M.J. Gutfreund, 1995), factor analysis of 3 alliance measures completed by 231 patients explored patients' views of the alliance. Two of 6 factors, Confident Collaboration and Idealized Relationship (with the substantial general factor removed), correlated with patients' estimate of improvement (rs = .37 and -.23, respectively; p < .001). Patients view the core of the alliance as a purposive mutual collaboration, or working alliance; patients who acknowledge some hostility do better in therapy. Three other factors--Goals and Tasks, Bond, and Dedicated Patient--resemble established subscales but are unrelated to improvement beyond the general factor. Factor 6 assesses improvement rather than alliance. The collaborative working alliance should be given prominence in alliance theory and measurement.
Hatcher
R L
RL
Psychological Clinic, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1109, USA. robhatch@umich.edu
Barends
A W
AW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012106:Research