Can personality traits predict psychotherapy outcome?

Ninety-six new admissions to a psychiatric outpatient clinic who attended a median of 14 therapy sessions completed a self-report Personality Profile Index prior to their first session. This index provides scores on eight dimensions of personality, a conflict measure, and a measure of social desirability. Scores were correlated with number of sessions and outcome as measured by a Symptom Checklist and by a Global Assessment Scale (GAS). Improvement was significantly related to number of sessions attended. Patients scoring high on being rejecting of others (rejection) were significantly less likely to show improvement after therapy. Rejection, aggression, passivity, and conflict were significantly related to the extent of symptoms and problems with which patients presented at the clinic.