Positive Regard and Affirmation

Abstract

This chapter meta-analytically reviews the research on the association between therapist positive regard and treatment outcome. The history of the construct of unconditional positive regard in client-centered theory, as well as the efforts to operationalize and measure this construct, are reviewed. Several clinical examples are presented. The meta-analysis, which features 64 studies, yielded a small positive association between positive regard and treatment outcome, g = 0.28. To control for the repeated use of data sets and study samples within the database, a multilevel meta-analysis was adopted that indicated a stronger relation between positive regard and clinical outcome, g = 0.36. These analyses support positive regard’s standing as a significant component of the therapy relationship that leads to improved clinical outcomes. The chapter concludes with limitations of the research, patient contributions, diversity considerations, and practice recommendations.