Men, women, and their outcome in psychotherapy

Abstract

Abstract This article presents a discussion of the author's research on differences in psychotherapy outcome between men and women. Two studies are highlighted. The first concerned differential responses of men and women to interpretive and supportive models of short-term individual psychotherapy. This study found that men benefited more in interpretive therapy than supportive therapy. Conversely, women benefited more from supportive therapy than interpretive therapy. The second study concerned differential responses of men and women to interpretive and supportive models of short-term group psychotherapy and also examined possible mediators of differential response. The study found that women, compared with men, had superior responses in both types of group therapy. The generally poor response of men could be attributed, in part, to their lower levels of commitment to the groups and their lower levels of compatibility with the other (primarily female) group members. The article concludes with thoughts abo...