DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/FN1R-WC42
Defense Date
2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Clinical Psychology
First Advisor
Michael A. Southam-Gerow, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Bryce McLeod, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Rosalie Corona, Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Terri Sullivan, Ph.D.
Fifth Advisor
Elizabeth Farmer, Ph.D.
Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the extent to which pretreatment characteristics influence therapist treatment adherence by using data sampled from a randomized effectiveness trial and an efficacy study. Research suggests that youth-, family-, and therapist-level pretreatment characteristics influence therapist behavior; however, this area is underdeveloped as most studies have focused on externalizing problem areas, family-based approaches, and the use of parent or therapist report to assess for therapist adherence. To date, no research has examined this question with anxiety as the target problem, individual-focused CBT, and with observational therapist adherence data. An observational coding measure, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Adherence Scale for Youth Anxiety, was used to assess therapist adherence to CBT for youth anxiety. Hierarchical linear model analyses were conducted to estimate changes in therapist adherence over time, based on youth-, family-, and therapist-level pretreatment characteristic predictors. Results suggest that youth ethnicity/race, therapist openness to evidence-based practices, therapist theoretical orientation, and therapist age influence the process of therapy: in this case, therapist adherence. The current study provides essential evidence about potentially important predictors of therapist adherence for CBT youth anxiety and points to important clinical and treatment adoption implications.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
6-21-2016