The Effect of Waiting for Inpatient Psychotherapy for Depression

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of waiting for inpatient psychosomatic psychotherapy and the prediction of treatment outcome from the effect of waiting in depressed patients. Methods: A total of N = 519 patients were assessed for depressive symptoms before their initial intake interview, at the time of their hospital admission (on average 6 weeks after the intake), and at discharge (after eight weeks of inpatient psychotherapy). Results: There was a small to moderate reduction in depressive symptoms from intake interview to hospital admission. This effect was independent from the waiting duration. Latent change from intake interview to hospital admission was a significant moderate predictor of treatment outcome at discharge. Conclusions: Findings imply that the prospect of inpatient psychotherapy may affect patients' depression severity. Furthermore, patients who benefit more from the prospect of treatment may also achieve higher therapeutic effects.