title: The role of self-image as a predictor of psychotherapy outcome.
abstract: The present study examined the relationship between self-image and outcome in psychotherapy. Patients (n = 170) received treatment-as-usual at a university clinic, and met diagnostic criteria for mostly anxiety and depression related disorders. Self-image was measured with the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB-I) introject pre and post-treatment. Using multiple regression analyses, higher levels of Self-ignore and Self-blame pre-treatment predicted a poorer treatment outcome in terms of symptoms (SCL-90-R) and interpersonal problems (IIP-64), respectively. Increase in Self-love and decrease in Self-blame (pre to post) predicted reduced symptoms at post-treatment, whereas decrease in Self-attack and Self-control, as well as increase in Self-affirm, predicted reduced interpersonal problems. The results suggest that self-image improvement may be important in order to achieve a good outcome in psychotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Truls
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ryum
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Eirik P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Walderhaug
authors.forename: Tore C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Stiles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Self-image; outcome; predictor; psychotherapy; self-concept