Pathogenesis: A New Therapist Personality Dimension Related to Therapeutic Effectiveness

Summary

The pre-project TATs of ten therapists were rated for “pathogenesis” and these ratings later correlated with their patient's level of functioning after six months of treatment. Outcome was measured in a variety of data modalities: intellectual tests, thought disorder measures, projectives, clinical status interviews, and hospitalization. Significant correlations were obtained on five of eight outcome measures. Patients of more benign (or less pathogenic) therapists demonstrated greater foresight, less schizophrenic thought disorder, greater intellectual functioning, were rated as healthier in the Clinical Status Interview, and spent less time in the hospital than patients of more pathogenic therapists.