Personality assessment inventory items in relation to patient- and therapist-rated alliance

Based on the results of prior research, we examined relationships between Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) items on clinical scales of antisocial features (ANT) and anxiety-related disorders (ARD) with patient- and therapist-rated alliance early in treatment (third or fourth session). We also explored the relationship between the PAI treatment rejection scale (RXR) and early session therapist-rated alliance, despite null findings in previous work. We used PAI protocols from a clinical outpatient sample (N = 80). Data were analysed using backwards linear regressions. Results indicated that a group of ANT items from different ANT subscales predicted patient-rated therapeutic alliance, F(8,59) = 5.182, p = .000, R-2 of .413, f(2) = 0.70. Additionally, a group of ARD items from different ARD subscales significantly predicted therapist-rated alliance, F(6,62) = 3.007, p = .012, R-2 of .225, f(2) = 0.29. No significant relationships were found for RXR items and therapist-rated alliance, consistent with prior findings. Clinical implications are discussed.