The impact of client distress on alliance ratings: An experimental test.

The alliance-outcome relationship is typically interpreted to mean alliance contributes to client outcomes; however, it remains possible that when clients are feeling better, they provide more lenient or positive ratings of the alliance. The aim of this research was to test whether client mood states impact alliance perceptions by experimentally manipulating clients’ mood before they rated the alliance. Clients (N = 177) watched a randomized mood induction film clip that was either positive or negative. Then, clients completed the Working Alliance Inventory, the Alliance Negotiation Scale, and questions about alliance ruptures. Preliminary analyses suggested successful random assignment and mood induction. However, there were no statistically significant differences between mood conditions for any of the measures of alliance. Overall, findings did not support the hypothesis that mood influences alliance perceptions, though some potential differences for depressed clients are discussed. Future research might utilize this novel method with different therapeutic and client contexts, such as mood disorders, and might further explore other aspects of outcome that might influence alliance ratings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Journal of Psychotherapy Integration - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research