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Degree

Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Development and Family Science, 2006.

Abstract

Therapeutic alliance is an essential component of successful therapy. All forms of individual psychotherapy have demonstrated a connection between outcome and therapeutic alliance. Despite the fact that therapeutic alliance is an acknowledged area of importance in individual therapy, little research has been conducted regarding how gender, the initiation of therapy, a split alliance, and the type of presenting problem impact outcome and alliance in couples therapy. It was the specific aim of this study to determine how those factors impacted therapeutic alliance for clients in couples therapy. Results of this study indicated that many couples dropped out of therapy, women initiated therapy more often than men, split alliances did impact outcome, and whose therapeutic alliance was different, higher or lower, mattered more than how different. This study demonstrated that who initiated therapy and the type of presenting problem (a couple problem versus an individual problem) did not impact therapeutic alliance in couples therapy. Possible explanations and further hypotheses are explored and areas of future research are suggested. Strengths and limitations are identified and clinical implications are noted.

Subject Headings

Health Sciences, Mental Health

Keywords

therapeutic alliance; couples therapy; split alliance

Advisor

Julianne Serovich

Pages

88p.

Document number: osu1155693036
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1155693036

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