Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Change factors in depression and substance use treatment: a longitudinal integrative model


While psychotherapy efficacy has been largely supported, patient change processes across time are still less clear. This is specially true for complex clinical populations, such as dually diagnosed individuals.

A Latent Growth Model was tested to describe change in depression and substance use in patients from two Randomized Clinical Trials (RTCs). The model tested the impact of the alliance
and four evidence-based change principles as predictors of symptomatic change during treatment and follow-up, in addition to advancing the premise that initial treatment matching to non-diagnostic patient characteristics improved the quality of the therapeutic alliance.

A good fit was found for a quadratic change function for both outcome measures, that is, symptoms decreased in a curve shape followed by a small increase. Full predictive models yielded acceptable fit. Patients high on subjective distress at treatment-entry benefited from affective-focused interventions in terms of their substance use. Matching patient coping style (externalizing vs. internalizing) with treatment focus (symptom change vs. insight-oriented) predicted a better alliance.

Effects of both relationship and interventions were found, as well as their interplay.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: carla.moleiro@iscte.pt
___________________________________________