Adaptive efficacy and generic indicators of change in psychotherapy: An exploratory study

Abstract

This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the progress on generic indicators of change and the quality of adaptive efficacy in an adult patient who underwent brief psychodynamic psychotherapy. The videos and transcripts of 11 therapy sessions were analyzed using the “Indicadores Genéricos de Cambio” (Generic Change Indicators) and the “Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada Redefinida” (Operational Adaptive Diagnostic Scale Redefined). The results pointed to the progress on the indicators of change and progress in adaptive responses. More adequate responses suggested changes in the patient’s life, and these improvements were detected by the Generic Change Indicators. Used together, these two measures may assist the therapist in evaluating patient’s progress and understanding the factors that cause or limit change. Further studies with a larger number of psychotherapy processes and which take into account unsuccessful processes and patient abandonment are recommended.

Keywords:
Case studies; Psychological intervention; Change (psychology); Psychotherapeutic processes