Patients' Self-presentational Tactics as Predictors of the Early Therapeutic Alliance.

Abstract

The early therapeutic alliance is an important predictor for therapy outcome. However, knowledge about predictors of the therapeutic alliance is still limited. We examined if patients' self-presentational behaviors can predict the early therapeutic alliance. Videotaped intake interviews of 60 randomly selected patients were coded for patients' self-presentational tactics. The therapeutic alliance was measured with the Bern Post-Session Report. From the therapists' perspective, Agenda setting and Self-promotion were positively related and Supplication was negatively related to the therapeutic alliance. From the patients' perspective, Agenda setting was negatively related and Self-promotion was positively related to the therapeutic alliance. Provoking a response from the therapist was unrelated to the therapeutic alliance as judged from both therapist and patient perspectives. Correlations were of small-to-moderate size. These findings have important implications for building a constructive therapeutic alliance and identifying patients' needs. Patients' self-presentational behavior is a promising predictor of the early therapeutic alliance.