Patricia Gooding, Daniel Pratt, Connor Heapy, Kamelia Harris, Richard J Drake, Gillian Haddock
{"title":"The role of \"dose\" of therapy and therapy formulation level in improvements in social support appraisals and concomitant reductions in suicidal ideation severity over 6 months in people with psychosis.","authors":"Patricia Gooding, Daniel Pratt, Connor Heapy, Kamelia Harris, Richard J Drake, Gillian Haddock","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001009","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ccp0001009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objectives were to examine the role of two therapy process variables (formulation level and therapy \"dose\") in a mechanism involving links between improved social support appraisals and reduced suicidal ideation severity over time in people with psychosis and to determine which aspects of social support were key to improvements in suicidal ideation.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Participants (N = 106) had nonaffective psychosis and recent suicidal experiences and had received a suicide-focused talking therapy. A model was tested in which, across 6 months, changes in social support appraisals were associated with changes in suicidal ideation severity with sequential mediators of therapy \"dose\" (number of sessions) and therapy formulation level (1-5). Multivariate techniques were used to probe which social support items clustered around suicidal ideation improvements and the two therapy process variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The highest levels of formulation (Levels 4 and 5) were attained by 77% of participants, with median therapy attendance of 17 sessions. Therapy \"dose\" and therapy formulation level acted as sequential mediators in a significant indirect pathway in which improvements to social support appraisals led to consequent improvements in suicidal ideation severity, with social support from family being key. Aspects of social connectedness of particular importance included feeling important to others, being able to rely on family, being relied upon by family, and being cared for by family.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>People with some of the most severe mental health problems can fully engage with suicide-focused therapy. Individualized formulation is recommended which is to focus upon transitions within social connectedness appraisals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"94 7","pages":"404-414"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148706780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fredrik Falkenström, Julian A Rubel, Antonia Stachelscheid, Wolfgang Lutz
{"title":"Does congruence between therapist and patient in session-by-session bond ratings predict change in symptoms?","authors":"Fredrik Falkenström, Julian A Rubel, Antonia Stachelscheid, Wolfgang Lutz","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001017","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ccp0001017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The working alliance is a robust predictor of psychotherapy outcomes, and recent theories suggest that congruence between therapist and patient perceptions of the alliance may further enhance outcomes. This study examined whether session-by-session congruence in emotional bond ratings predicted next-session symptom improvement.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Data were drawn from 2,575 patients (82,641 patient-by-session observations) receiving feedback-informed cognitive-behavioral therapy by 194 trainee therapists in a university outpatient clinic. Patients and therapists rated the emotional bond after each session. Symptoms were assessed with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-11. Dynamic within-patient cross-lagged panel models with polynomial coefficients and response surface analysis were used to test congruence and incongruence effects, while accounting for temporal dynamics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to hypotheses, congruence between patient- and therapist-bond ratings did not predict better outcomes, nor was there a stronger congruence effect at higher levels of alliance. Instead, a small curvilinear main effect of alliance quality was found, with stronger effects at higher levels. Both patient and therapist ratings contributed to this, though patient ratings showed the stronger effect. Incongruence effects were observed: outcomes were better when therapists rated the bond lower than patients than when the reverse pattern occurred.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Bond congruence did not predict short-term symptom improvement. Instead, findings showed that a cautious therapist appraisal of the bond was associated with better outcome. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions about the value of congruence. Results call for a reconsideration of how therapist-patient agreement on the alliance is conceptualized and used in practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"94 7","pages":"415-424"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148706790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mental health treatments under scrutiny: Benefits, harms, and the cost of inaction.","authors":"Wendy K Silverman, Samuel D Spencer, Dean McKay","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001021","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ccp0001021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this viewpoint article, The authors shine a spotlight on the inaction and an even brighter light on constructive recommendations for those conducting research on psychological treatments and disseminating its findings. The authors view these actions as necessary for disrupting the downward spiral of mistrust in science. Otherwise, advances in clinical psychological science and public health are in jeopardy. They propose two areas of action: (1) emphasize mechanisms of not only benefit but also potential harm in our conceptual and empirical analyses of mental health treatments-especially psychosocial interventions, and (2) balance dissemination efforts with regard to both benefits and harm. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"94 7","pages":"401-403"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148706798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nancy P Barnett,Michelle L Rogers,Michelle Haikalis,Matthew K Meisel,Graham DiGuiseppi,Kristina M Jackson,John M Light,Miles Q Ott,Melissa A Clark
{"title":"Perceived changes in drinking are a mechanism of spillover effects from a brief alcohol intervention conducted in a college social network.","authors":"Nancy P Barnett,Michelle L Rogers,Michelle Haikalis,Matthew K Meisel,Graham DiGuiseppi,Kristina M Jackson,John M Light,Miles Q Ott,Melissa A Clark","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001015","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVEIn a prior clinical trial, heavy drinkers in a network of first-year college students who had reciprocal network ties with recipients of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) showed a reduction in alcohol use. The objective of the present study was to identify the mechanisms through which this spillover effect occurred.METHODHeavy-drinking participants (N = 148) who had a reciprocal network tie (i.e., were close friends) with a BMI intervention recipient or a natural history control were identified (index participants; N = 83), and three models investigated putative mechanisms of change in close friend drinking from baseline to 5-month follow-up: (a) close friend perception of BMI/natural history control index participant past-month maximum number of drinks, (b) community perception of index participant maximum drinks, and (c) change in community perception of index participant maximum drinks from baseline to follow-up. The community perception was the average of available perceptions of the index participant maximum drinks. Models included index participant self-reported change in drinking as a proximal mediator and adjusted for close friend sex.RESULTSClose friend perception that BMI index participants reduced their drinking was related to their own reductions in drinking. Models with aggregate perception of index participant behavior as mediators were not significant, though significant paths support hypothesized directional effects.CONCLUSIONSPerception of peer drinking, an established predictor of alcohol use and a mechanism of behavior change in brief interventions, is a possible conduit through which a brief alcohol intervention transmits its spillover effects to close peers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"61 1","pages":"364-376"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clarissa W Ong,Eric B Lee,Andrew J Kurtz,Jacob S Avendano,Kate Sheehan,Estella Fox,Andy D Wall,Hannah M Johnson,Alexa M Skolnik
{"title":"Testing self-help interventions for adults with clinical perfectionism: A randomized controlled trial comparing online skills modules to a book.","authors":"Clarissa W Ong,Eric B Lee,Andrew J Kurtz,Jacob S Avendano,Kate Sheehan,Estella Fox,Andy D Wall,Hannah M Johnson,Alexa M Skolnik","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001011","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVEThe current randomized controlled trial (preregistered at https://osf.io/8k7xa) compared an online self-help intervention for perfectionism that allowed users to select their own skills modules to a book control condition.METHODParticipants with clinically significant perfectionism (N = 114; Mage = 33.9, 52.3% White, 58.7% women) were randomly assigned to an online training (app) or active control (self-help book) condition and assessed at baseline, weekly during a 4-week intervention period, at 1-month follow-up, and at 6-month follow-up.RESULTSWe found a smaller decrease in perfectionistic evaluative concerns in the app condition compared to the book condition (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-Evaluative; ps = .002 to .007), but no differences were observed for perfectionistic striving (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-Striving), psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales), quality of life, psychological flexibility (PsyFlex), and self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form) by 6-month follow-up (within-group Cohen's ds for perfectionism subscales = -0.79 to -0.42 for the app, -1.12 to -0.88 for the book). Participants in the app condition rated modules as being more helpful for meeting specific than general needs (t = -2.40, p = .021), suggesting they could \"self-personalize\" treatment by selecting modules that fit their needs at the time of use. We did not find significant moderation effects for any demographic or clinical variables.CONCLUSIONSBoth interventions showed similar effects over time and may serve as helpful low-intensity treatments for clinical perfectionism. Limitations include lack of a waitlist control condition, which precludes conclusions about efficacy of the study interventions beyond time effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"63 1","pages":"340-352"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John R Weisz,Spencer C Evans,Maggi A Price,Erica H Lee,Nathan L Hollinsaid,Sherelle L Harmon,Gabriela M Rodriguez,Katherine A Corteselli,F Tony Bonadio,Kristina Metz,Lauren K Marchette,Kristel Thomassin,Jacquelyn Raftery-Helmer,Sarah Kate Bearman,Jacqueline Hersh,Amanda Jensen-Doss
{"title":"Testing child STEPS in school-based mental health care: Cluster-randomized controlled effectiveness trial in five school districts.","authors":"John R Weisz,Spencer C Evans,Maggi A Price,Erica H Lee,Nathan L Hollinsaid,Sherelle L Harmon,Gabriela M Rodriguez,Katherine A Corteselli,F Tony Bonadio,Kristina Metz,Lauren K Marchette,Kristel Thomassin,Jacquelyn Raftery-Helmer,Sarah Kate Bearman,Jacqueline Hersh,Amanda Jensen-Doss","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001014","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVEMore youth mental health care in the United States is provided in schools than any other setting. So, there is a need for evidence-based psychotherapies that can work well with students in those sometimes complex environments. Transdiagnostic modular therapies may help, given their flexibility and capacity to address diverse youth disorders and problems.METHODWe tested this possibility by conducting a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial of Child STEPs, an intervention that combines the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with consultation and measurement-based care. One hundred forty-two elementary and middle school students (Mage = 9.78, SD = 1.76, range 7-14; 39% female; 59% White, 18% multiracial, 9% Black, 6% Asian, 4% Hispanic, 4% another race/ethnicity) from five urban and suburban school districts were treated by 57 school counselors who had been randomized to STEPs or usual counseling (UC).RESULTSThe full sample improved significantly across multiple multi-informant mental health measures-administered at baseline, during treatment, at posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. STEPs counselors showed strong Modular Approach to Therapy for Children fidelity (coded from session recordings) and strong endorsement of Modular Approach to Therapy for Children effectiveness. However, there was no significant difference between STEPs and UC on any mental health outcome, and STEPs students showed poorer school engagement during treatment than UC students.CONCLUSIONSSTEPs did not outperform UC, despite strong STEPs fidelity by counselors; future research may test whether this finding is robust or might be altered by adapting evidence-based modular treatment for the school context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"38 1","pages":"325-339"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura J Long,Daniella Spencer-Laitt,Audrey J Hey,Madison R Boschulte,Daniel A Teplow,Julián D Moreno-Villamizar,Alexander L Williams,Elizabeth H Eustis,Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald,Todd J Farchione
{"title":"Efficacy of a modified digital unified protocol targeting both positive and negative emotion regulation: A randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Laura J Long,Daniella Spencer-Laitt,Audrey J Hey,Madison R Boschulte,Daniel A Teplow,Julián D Moreno-Villamizar,Alexander L Williams,Elizabeth H Eustis,Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald,Todd J Farchione","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001010","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVEThe Unified Protocol (UP) has proven effective for treating emotional disorders; however, its standard format primarily focuses on regulating negative emotions. While difficulties with negative emotion regulation are common across these disorders, difficulties with positive emotion regulation are often overlooked. This study evaluated the efficacy of a digitally adapted UP incorporating positive emotion regulation strategies (internet-delivered unified protocol+).METHODIn a randomized clinical trial, 120 adults (Mage = 34.0, SD = 12.0; 73% female; 75% White) with principal anxiety, depressive, or obsessive-compulsive disorders were assigned to the internet-delivered unified protocol+ (n = 80) or standard internet-delivered unified protocol (n = 40). Both 12-week programs occurred via an online platform with asynchronous clinical support through weekly messaging. Outcomes included anxiety, depression, and stress; positive/negative affect; functional impairment; savoring; positive mental health; and flourishing. Analyses included between- and within-group effect sizes, remission comparisons, and latent growth modeling.RESULTSBoth groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in anxiety, depression, stress, negative affect, and functional impairment (standardized mean gain effect size ≈ -0.28 to -1.13) that were maintained across a 3-month follow-up. Statistically significant, small-to-moderate gains in positive mental health and flourishing (standardized mean gain effect size ≈ 0.31-0.37) were also observed and maintained. Positive affect and savoring significantly increased by Week 8 but diminished and were no longer significant at follow-up. No group differences emerged for any outcome.CONCLUSIONSDigital UP interventions were associated with symptom reduction and improvements in flourishing, but adding positive emotion regulation content did not yield incremental benefits. Future research should explore whether increased intensity or duration of these strategies improves outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"63 1","pages":"377-392"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Athena C Y Chan,Sun-Kyung Lee,Alexandra N Hanson,Abigail H Gewirtz,Timothy F Piehler
{"title":"Online versus telehealth delivery of a parenting program for postdeployed military families: Child internalizing and externalizing symptoms as moderators of response.","authors":"Athena C Y Chan,Sun-Kyung Lee,Alexandra N Hanson,Abigail H Gewirtz,Timothy F Piehler","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001018","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVEFamilies could benefit from remote parent training programs. However, the comparative effectiveness of online self-directed versus facilitator-delivered telehealth for families with varying characteristics remains unclear. This study examined whether baseline child mental health symptoms moderate parental response to two remote delivery formats of a parenting intervention for military families.METHODA sample of 149 families with a 4- to 12-year-old child and at least one parent deployed post-9/11 participated in a 14-week After Deployment, Adaptive Parenting Tools parenting intervention. The intervention was delivered postdeployment and focused on strengthening parenting to support child adjustment. Families were randomly assigned to one of two remote formats. Both fathers and mothers were invited to participate and independently reported their child's externalizing and internalizing symptoms at baseline. Observed parenting practices were assessed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Separate moderation models were conducted for fathers and mothers.RESULTSFor mothers and fathers, baseline child externalizing behavior moderated the effect of delivery format on parenting practices at 1 year. At high symptom levels, telehealth had a greater impact on parenting practices than the online self-directed format. At low symptom levels, both formats produced similar improvements in parenting practices for fathers, while online self-directed delivery had a greater impact than telehealth format for mothers reporting low child externalizing symptoms.CONCLUSIONSParents reporting higher child symptoms benefit most from a facilitator-delivered telehealth parent training, whereas online self-directed training appears adequate for lower child symptoms. These findings suggest that tailoring delivery format based on family needs may optimize the effectiveness of parent programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"144 1","pages":"353-363"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"(Computation of) the standardized mean difference in clinical trials should be standardized.","authors":"Alexander O Crenshaw","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0001016","url":null,"abstract":"The standardized mean difference (SMD) is widely used in psychology clinical trials to convert intervention effect estimates from raw units to a common scale, enabling comparison across settings. However, multiple operationalizations of the SMD are possible for clinical trial data, with large potential impacts on estimate magnitudes. In this commentary, I review practices for operationalizing the SMD in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and other journals that publish results of clinical trials. I find that only one third of studies report sufficient information to determine the operationalization. Among those, the operationalization varies widely, threatening the SMD's utility in providing a common scale. Given the common goals and design elements across many trials, it is feasible to establish a default operationalization for the SMD's standardizer. I outline eight desirable SMD properties and evaluate each option against these properties. The pooled baseline standard deviation meets seven of eight, far more than any alternative, with its main limitation being susceptibility to inflation from restrictive inclusion criteria. I conclude that raw effect estimates should be divided by the pooled baseline standard deviation as a default, one-size-fits-most choice. Adopting this standard will help the SMD meet its promise as a standardized metric, improving comparability of results across different measures, outcomes, studies, and populations. I also provide reporting recommendations to improve transparency and enable recomputation using alternative standardizers when needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"144 1","pages":"393-399"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frank J Don, Lynn Boschloo, Frederik J Wienicke, Erica S Weitz, Steven D Hollon, Zachary D Cohen, Zindel V Segal, Sidney H Kennedy, Robert J DeRubeis, R Michael Bagby, Lena C Quilty, Anne D Simons, Jos W R Twisk, Ioana A Cristea, Toshiaki A Furukawa, Pim Cuijpers, Ellen Driessen
{"title":"Dysfunctional attitudes in cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressant pharmacotherapy for adult depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.","authors":"Frank J Don, Lynn Boschloo, Frederik J Wienicke, Erica S Weitz, Steven D Hollon, Zachary D Cohen, Zindel V Segal, Sidney H Kennedy, Robert J DeRubeis, R Michael Bagby, Lena C Quilty, Anne D Simons, Jos W R Twisk, Ioana A Cristea, Toshiaki A Furukawa, Pim Cuijpers, Ellen Driessen","doi":"10.1037/ccp0001001","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ccp0001001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Dysfunctional attitudes (DA) constitute a vulnerability factor for depression that might be most effectively targeted with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), but evidence is inconclusive. This individual participant data meta-analysis examined DA change during CBT and antidepressant medication, potential pathways of change by exploring how DA were related to depressive symptoms at posttreatment, and whether baseline DA moderated CBT versus antidepressants' efficacy on depression outcomes.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conducted systematic literature searches up to May 1, 2024. We included randomized comparisons of CBT and antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of adult depression, assessing the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale at baseline and posttreatment. Individual participant data were requested and analyzed with mixed-effects models and network estimation techniques.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five studies totaling 734 participants met inclusion criteria. DA decreased significantly after CBT and antidepressants, with no significant difference between treatments. Regardless of treatment, posttreatment DA were positively associated with posttreatment depressive symptomatology, particularly with guilt and suicidal thoughts. Baseline DA moderated the efficacy of CBT versus antidepressants on observer-rated outcomes, with CBT more effective for participants with higher DA and antidepressants more effective for those with lower DA, but this was not replicated across individual studies nor with self-reported outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Change in DA and its associations with changes in depressive symptomatology do not appear specific to CBT. We found inconsistent evidence for the notion that CBT is more efficacious than antidepressants for individuals with high levels of DA. Repeated DA assessment during treatment would allow for more nuanced analysis in future studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":15447,"journal":{"name":"Journal of consulting and clinical psychology","volume":"94 5","pages":"281-292"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148163348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}