Positive and Negative Outcome Expectancies Predict Treatment Success

Positive and Negative Outcome Expectancies Predict Treatment SuccessAbstract: Background: The outcome expectations of patients have long been considered a common factor in psychotherapy. Objective: The present study examines whether the outcome expectations of patients are significant predictors of treatment success above and beyond established predictors. It considers both positive and negative expectations (hope of improvement / fear of change). Methods: We assessed both positive and negative outcome expectations in 453 completers of outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy at baseline via a questionnaire. We performed hierarchical logistic regression to test whether and how outcome expectations influence treatment success, defining the latter in terms of a clinically significant change at the individual case level. Results: Beyond the influence known from already proven predictors, positive and, to a lesser degree, negative outcome expectations showed a significant influence on treatment success. Conclusions: Routine assessment of outcome expectations at baseline seems helpful in identifying factors that might impede a good treatment outcome.