The significance of concepts about illness attribution and treatment expectations in the initial clinical interview

Author(s): Rauchfleisch, U., Mullejans, R.

Journal/Book: Psychother Psychosom Med Psyc. 1996; 46: P O Box 30 11 20, D-70451 Stuttgart, Germany. Georg Thieme Verlag. 321-326.

Abstract: To evaluate the influence and the consequences of subjective concepts about attribution and treatment expectations of patients and therapists 56 patients of two psychiatric outpatient departments were examined with the inventory for concepts about illness and the Giessen-Test. In addition biographic data and information of the present problems as well the judgement of the therapists were registered. The results show that the subjective concepts of problem attribution and treatment expectations correlate with patient variables as personality, social economic states, social network, anamnestic data, present problems, previous therapeutic experience and vocational situation. Some concepts (e.g. psychologically oriented concepts) and the conformity of therapists and patients are important predictors of indication, prognosis and outcome of therapy. Therapists are especially motivated to work with patients who have similiar concepts and a similiar social background as themselves. The concepts of the patients assimilate of those of the therapists already after a short period of therapy.

Note: Article U Rauchfleisch, Univ Basel, Kantonsspital, Psychiat Klin, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland

Keyword(s): concept about illness; treatment of expectations; psychotherapy

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