Influence of partnership on the outcome of psychotherapy

30 patients who had psychosomatic disorders and were living constantly with the same partner were followed up 2-3 years after inpatient psychotherapy. The outcome of psychotherapy was assessed and the patients were interviewed about partnership and disease. The interviews were evaluated by 10 raters who had to score 26 variables. Using a discriminant analysis 4 variables were selected which predicted outcome correctly in 93.3% of the patients: who leaves whom in case of separation; partner's help in coping with illness guided by patient's needs; cognitive reappraisal of the patient, and changes in the extradyadic relation of the partner. The findings clearly demonstrate that the cognitions on partnership are connected with the outcome of psychotherapy to a substantial degree.