Therapist attitudes and patient outcomes: I. Development and validation of the Therapeutic Attitudes Scales (TASC-2)

Abstract

The aims of the study were to develop and standardize, using a random sample of licensed psychotherapists in Sweden, an instrument to explore therapeutic attitudes. Nine factors were extracted and cross-validated from Therapeutic Identity, a comprehensive questionnaire. The factor scales predicted with considerable accuracy self-designated theoretical orientations of the therapists and were associated with therapists' level of experience. A cluster analysis of the therapists on the basis of the factor scales revealed interesting variations, particularly within the psychodynamic and eclectic parts of the spectrum of therapeutic attitudes.