Análisis diferencial del proceso y resultado psicoterapéutico en función del motivo de demanda en pacientes con ansiedad y depresión

This study focused on the differential aspects of the psychotherapeutic process and outcome in two groups of patients who requested therapy for anxiety problems or depression. Participants were 103 people, 41 in the depression group and 62 in the anxiety one. The instruments used were the CORE Outcome Measure and the short version of the WAI (Working Alliance Inventory) to assess the therapeutic alliance. The goal of the study was to analyse the differences between the groups with respect to the therapeutic alliance, ruptures of the therapeutic relationship, the abandonment of treatment and characteristics of the therapist-client bond. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between both groups in severity of the problem, differential symptomatic improvement for any of the factors, correlation between therapeutic alliance and symptoms in the case of the depression group, therapeutic alliance in the first 12 sessions either in general or in any of its three factors, and temporary weakening of the therapeutic alliance nor temporary symptomatic relapse. However, in the case of the anxiety group the correlation between therapeutic alliance and symptoms was highly significant in all sessions from the 3rd to the 12th. Results are interpreted under the light of the sensitivity of the relation between symptomatic improvement and therapeutic relationship to the client's collaborative attitude. With depressive patients, particularly difficult regarding the establishment of a collaborative relationship, the quality of the therapeutic bond is less predictive of improvement than with anxious patients.