The dynamic assessment interview (DAI), interpersonal process measured by structural analysis of social behavior (SASB) and therapeutic outcome

Abstract

In this study we investigated the interrelationships between the Dynamic Assessment Interview (DAI), the interpersonal process of the assessment interview analyzed with Structural analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), and treatment outcome. The DAI is a semistructured interview and rating procedure designed to evaluate patient suitability for psychodynamic psychotherapy based on the patient's immediate interaction with the assessment interviewer. In the selected sample (n = 20) the DAI ratings showed no significant correlations with the SASB-coded interpersonal process of the assessment interview nor with treatment outcome. The SASB-coded interpersonal process in the assessment interview correlated significantly with interpersonal process early in therapy and was able to predict treatment outcome. It is concluded that the abstract ''inner'' patient characteristics assumed to be of major prognostic importance for psychodynamic psychotherapy might be of limited validity, whereas the patient offered interpersonal process is worth further consideration as a predictor of treatment outcome. Finally, the relatively stressful structure of the DAI interview might have facilitated the prediction of treatment outcome from the interpersonal process in the assessment interview.