Abstract
The response styles theory by Nolen-Hoeksema (J Abnorm Psychol 100:569–582, 1991) suggests that rumination in response to depressed mood exacerbates and prolongs depression, while distraction ameliorates
it. In addition, research has shown that rumination is associated with several undesirable interpersonal outcomes, including
greater interpersonal problems and less satisfying social support. In a sample of depressed patients (n = 67) receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy, the current study investigated whether patients’ use of ruminative and distractive
responses to depressed mood influences the therapeutic alliance and the patients’ receptivity to therapeutic interventions.
Ruminative responses were neither predictive of the therapeutic alliance nor of patients’ receptivity. However, the more the
patients reported distractive responses to depressed mood, the better therapists judged their receptivity in therapy and the
better they evaluated the therapeutic alliance. In the course of therapy, distractive responses were also associated with
patients’ ratings of the alliance. Implications for future research and psychotherapeutic practice are discussed.
it. In addition, research has shown that rumination is associated with several undesirable interpersonal outcomes, including
greater interpersonal problems and less satisfying social support. In a sample of depressed patients (n = 67) receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy, the current study investigated whether patients’ use of ruminative and distractive
responses to depressed mood influences the therapeutic alliance and the patients’ receptivity to therapeutic interventions.
Ruminative responses were neither predictive of the therapeutic alliance nor of patients’ receptivity. However, the more the
patients reported distractive responses to depressed mood, the better therapists judged their receptivity in therapy and the
better they evaluated the therapeutic alliance. In the course of therapy, distractive responses were also associated with
patients’ ratings of the alliance. Implications for future research and psychotherapeutic practice are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-010-9347-6
- Authors
- Tobias Teismann, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
- Johannes Michalak, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
- Ulrike Willutzki, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
- Dietmar Schulte, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916