Abstract
Introduction
Little is known about predictors of psychotherapy outcome in trauma-affected refugees. Knowledge on outcome predictors can help clinicians identify patients prior to treatment who are not likely to benefit from standardized psychotherapy and take additional measures to adjust treatment to the individual patient. Given the dynamic nature of psychotherapy readiness domains, they represent potential targets to be worked with in therapy in order to improve outcomes.
Methods
Psychotherapy readiness domains (locus of control, cognitive functioning, motivation for therapy, and personality functioning) were examined as potential predictors of psychotherapy outcome in trauma-affected refugees. Secondary analyses were conducted on data from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Study participants (N = 190) were refugees with PTSD who received flexible manual-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Denmark. Psychotherapy readiness domains were assessed via semi-structured interviews at the beginning of psychotherapy. Outcome variables were pre-post change in PTSD symptomology and global level of functioning.
Results
Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher motivation for psychotherapy predicted improvement in PTSD symptomology and global level of functioning. Moreover, higher cognitive functioning predicted improvement in global level of functioning.
Limitations
The predictor rating scales need further psychometric evaluations in cross-cultural contexts.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the importance of considering motivation in psychotherapy offered to trauma-affected refugees. Further research is needed to identify potential barriers to motivation in this diverse patient population and to determine whether motivational interventions can lead to improved treatment outcomes.
Little is known about predictors of psychotherapy outcome in trauma-affected refugees. Knowledge on outcome predictors can help clinicians identify patients prior to treatment who are not likely to benefit from standardized psychotherapy and take additional measures to adjust treatment to the individual patient. Given the dynamic nature of psychotherapy readiness domains, they represent potential targets to be worked with in therapy in order to improve outcomes.
Methods
Psychotherapy readiness domains (locus of control, cognitive functioning, motivation for therapy, and personality functioning) were examined as potential predictors of psychotherapy outcome in trauma-affected refugees. Secondary analyses were conducted on data from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Study participants (N = 190) were refugees with PTSD who received flexible manual-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Denmark. Psychotherapy readiness domains were assessed via semi-structured interviews at the beginning of psychotherapy. Outcome variables were pre-post change in PTSD symptomology and global level of functioning.
Results
Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher motivation for psychotherapy predicted improvement in PTSD symptomology and global level of functioning. Moreover, higher cognitive functioning predicted improvement in global level of functioning.
Limitations
The predictor rating scales need further psychometric evaluations in cross-cultural contexts.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the importance of considering motivation in psychotherapy offered to trauma-affected refugees. Further research is needed to identify potential barriers to motivation in this diverse patient population and to determine whether motivational interventions can lead to improved treatment outcomes.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Vol/bind | 325 |
Sider (fra-til) | 248-255 |
Antal sider | 8 |
ISSN | 0165-0327 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2023 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:Special thanks to all participants and staff at CTP for their time, effort, and contribution. The trial was approved by The Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-15014503), the Danish Medicines Agency (EudraCT: 2015-004153-40) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (2012-58-0004). The trial was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki II Declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The original trial was supported by TrygFonden and Fonden til Lægevidenskabens Fremme. Funding agents had no decision rights regarding the study processes, and the preparation of this manuscript was entirely independent of funding.
Funding Information:
The original trial was supported by TrygFonden and Fonden til Lægevidenskabens Fremme . Funding agents had no decision rights regarding the study processes, and the preparation of this manuscript was entirely independent of funding.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022