Attachment characteristics and treatment outcome following inpatient psychotherapy: Results of a multisite study |
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Authors: | Bernhard Strauss Helmut Kirchmann Jochen Eckert Audrey Lobo-Drost Andrea Marquet Rainer Papenhausen |
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Affiliation: | 1. Friedrich-Schiller University bernhard.strauss@med.uni-jena.de;3. Friedrich-Schiller University;4. University of Hamburg;5. Ginsterhof Hospital |
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Abstract: | Abstract Existential suffering may contribute to treatment-resistant depression. The “VITA” treatment model was designed for such patients with long-standing depression accompanied by existential and/or religious concerns. This naturalistic effectiveness study compared the VITA model (n = 50) with a “treatment as usual” comparison group (TAU; n = 50) of patients with treatment-resistant depression and Cluster C comorbidity. The TAU patients were matched on several characteristics with the VITA patients. The VITA model included existential, dynamic, narrative and affect-focused components. The VITA group had significantly greater improvement on symptom distress and relational problems during treatment and from pre-treatment to 1-year follow-up. Patients in the VITA, at follow-up, were more likely to be employed and less likely be using psychotropic medications. |
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Keywords: | depression spirituality and religion and psychotherapy experiential/existential/humanistic psychotherapy psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy |
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