A dyadic analysis of the between- and within-system alliances on distress

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the therapeutic alliance and distress using the couple rather than the individual as the unit of analysis. One hundred and seventy-three couples receiving treatment for relational distress at two university clinics participated in this study. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to analyze the relationship of each partner's between- and within-system alliance scores and distress at session four. Results provide support for actor effects on relational distress for both male and female partners and for actor effects on psychological distress for female partners. Limited support was found for partner effects on distress. Furthermore, results indicate that the alliance between partners is a stronger predictor of improvement in early sessions in comparison with the alliance between the individual and the therapist.