title: The relation of baseline skills to psychotherapy outcome across diverse psychotherapies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We explored whether patients with varied levels of baseline deficits in compensatory skills and self-understanding had different outcomes across cognitive and dynamic therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The assessment battery was administered at intake and termination (N = 97; 66% female, 81% Caucasian). We conducted regression analyses predicting symptom change from baseline levels of self-understanding and compensatory skills. We also evaluated the interaction between baseline skill levels and treatment condition in the prediction of psychotherapy outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant interaction between treatment group and baseline compensatory skills in the prediction of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) symptom change, F(1,76) = 4.59, p = .035. Baseline deficits in compensatory skills were significantly related to symptom change for patients who received cognitive treatment, ηρ = .40, p = .037, while baseline levels of self-understanding were not significantly predictive of treatment outcome in either condition. Baseline skill variables did not predict symptom change as measured by the HAMA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support a capitalization model of cognitive therapy, whereby patients with relative strengths in compensatory skills at baseline have better treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Mary Beth Connolly
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jacqueline K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crits-Christoph
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D064889:Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic / Q000379:methods*
keywords: cognitive therapy; compensatory skills; dynamic therapy; psychotherapy process; self-understanding