Attributional change during psychotherapy

Abstract

Previous research suggests that causal attributions for life-events are involved in the process of recovery from depression. The study assessed depressive symptoms and attributions before and after treatment in 40 clients. Each client received two forms of therapy in a cross-over design: Exploratory (relationship-oriented, interpersonal) therapy, and Prescriptive (cognitive-behavioural) therapy. During the course of treatment, attributions became significantly more unstable, specific and controllable. There was a positive relation between attributional change and change in depression symptoms, with significant correlations occurring on all dimensions, apart from Externality, and on a composite measure.