The relative association between individual difference variables and general psychotherapy outcome expectation in...

Although patients' psychotherapy outcome expectation relates to their treatment outcome, little is known about correlates of this expectation. Moreover, the limited research has largely assessed convenience variables as correlates, with little replication and few examinations of the relative strength of associations between the correlates and outcome expectation. This clinical analogue study examined the relation between socially anxious undergraduates' (N = 178) characteristics and their general psychotherapy outcome expectation. We investigated characteristics supported as correlates in prior studies.

Data derived from a baseline assessment prior to a larger experiment. Participants' mean level of social anxiety was within 1 standard deviation of the mean of clinical, treatment-seeking samples, and 65.2% of the sample either had therapy experience or were actively considering it.

Participants' general outcome expectation was significantly associated with positive beliefs about and intention to seek therapy. Multivariate regression models showed a positive association between psychological mindedness (B = .59, p < .001) and outcome expectation. Subgroup analyses indicated that for participants with prior therapy experience, greater satisfaction with that treatment (B = 5.26, p < .001) was associated with higher outcome expectation.

Results are discussed with regard to their implications for treatment-seeking intentions and treatment planning.