Measuring the outcomes of psychotherapy: Findings of the Penn Psychotherapy Project

Reports analyses of outcome measures obtained from patients, therapists, and clinical observers in the Penn Psychotherapy Project, a 5-yr study of factors that predict outcome in outpatient psychotherapy. The data from the "method factors" study by D. S. Cartwright et al (see record 1963-06833-001) were also reanalyzed. Results in both studies were very similar. Substantial agreement was found among viewpoints about broadly defined treatment outcomes, although distinct viewpoints did clearly exist. Contrary to a common opinion, consensus measures of psychotherapy outcome could be meaningfully defined. Relationships among posttreatment ratings of benefits from therapy and measures of adjustment obtained before and after treatment were explored. A strong relationship was found between the residual gain score and ratings of benefits, suggesting that posttreatment ratings of outcome take account of the fact that the amount of change to be expected depends on the initial level of functioning. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).