Change is not always linear: the study of nonlinear and discontinuous patterns of change in psychotherapy.
The study of discontinuities and nonlinear change has been a fruitful endeavor across the sciences, as these shifts can provide a window into the organization of complex systems and the processes that are associated with transition. A common assumption in psychotherapy research has been that change is gradual and linear. The research designs and statistics used to study change often reflect this assumption, but some recent research reveals other patterns of change. We briefly review relevant literature on dynamical systems theory and on life transition and post-traumatic growth to highlight the significance of nonlinear and discontinuous change across areas of psychology. We describe recent applications of these ideas and methods to the study of change in psychotherapy and encourage their use to complement more traditional clinical trial designs.
Hayes
Adele M
AM
University of Delaware, DE, USA. ahayes@psych.udel.edu
Laurenceau
Jean-Philippe
JP
Feldman
Greg
G
Strauss
Jennifer L
JL
Cardaciotto
LeeAnn
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation