Development of a Questionnaire to Assess Attitudes towards Psychotherapeutic Treatment

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> The aim of our study is to compare attitudes to psychotherapeutic treatment among patients with chronic skin diseases, outpatients from a clinic for psychosomatic medicine, psychology students, and medicine students. For this purpose, a questionnaire assessing the attitudes among patients and healthy individuals towards psychotherapeutic treatment and psychotherapists was developed. <b>Subjects and Methods:</b> 541 inpatients with chronic skin diseases, 218 outpatients from a clinic for psychosomatic medicine, 106 psychology, and 341 medicine students completed the Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Psychotherapeutic Treatment (QAPT). <b>Results:</b> Item analysis confirmed 20 out of the original 24 items. Four dimensions of the QAPT were determined: competence of the psychotherapist, judgment by others, general attitude, and acceptance. <b>Conclusion:</b> Data analyses showed that outpatients from a clinic for psychosomatic medicine and psychology students have a more positive attitude towards psychotherapy and psychotherapists than inpatients with chronic skin diseases and medicine students that hold more skeptical views on psychotherapy. This suggests that special efforts to inform and motivate patients with chronic skin diseases are required if psychotherapy is advisable.