Journal article
Client engagement in psychotherapeutic treatment and associations with client characteristics, therapist characteristics, and treatment factors
Clinical Psychology Review, Vol.34(5), pp.428-450
2014
Abstract
Client engagement has been associated with positive psychotherapeutic outcomes, yet it is relatively under-theorized. The aims of this review were to establish how client engagement with psychotherapeutic interventions targeting psychological or behavioral change has been operationally defined and assessed, and the associated client characteristics, therapist characteristic, and treatment factors. Seventy-nine studies were selected for review, revealing inconsistent definitions and assessments of engagement and a broad array of client characteristics and treatment factors investigated. Attendance was frequently used as a proxy for engagement, but may not be reliable. Participation or involvement in conjunction with homework compliance which reflects clients' efforts within and between sessions may more reliably reflect engagement. The findings of associations between client characteristics and engagement variables were equivocal, although clients' capacities to address their problems tended to be positively associated with engagement. Nearly all therapist characteristics, particularly therapists' interpersonal skills, and most treatment factors, particularly strengths-based approaches and the therapeutic relationship, were positively associated with engagement. A theory of engagement that characterizes the function and inter-relations of variables across different psychotherapeutic settings is needed.
Details
- Title
- Client engagement in psychotherapeutic treatment and associations with client characteristics, therapist characteristics, and treatment factors
- Authors
- Emma Holdsworth (Author) - Coventry University, United KingdomErica Bowen (Author) - Coventry University, United KingdomSarah J Brown (Author) - Coventry University, United KingdomDouglas Howat (Author) - Coventry University, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- Clinical Psychology Review, Vol.34(5), pp.428-450
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Date published
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.004
- ISSN
- 0272-7358
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451321102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
75 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Clinical
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites