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Zimmerman JA, Marcus DK. Does Researcher Allegiance Bias Outcomes in Psychotherapy Research? A Quasi-Experimental Secondary Analysis. Clin Psychol Psychother 2024; 31:e2974. [PMID: 38616708 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Researchers who conduct studies comparing the efficacy of two treatments often find that their preferred treatment outperforms the comparison treatment. This finding has been labelled the allegiance association. Although this association is robust, it is unclear whether it reflects an allegiance bias on the part of the researchers or whether it is noncausal, with researchers being allied to the more effective treatments. This study applied a quasi-experimental method proposed by a previous study to 19 pairs of treatment comparison studies. Each member of a pair had used the same two psychotherapies to treat clients with the same disorder, but the researchers in each of the two studies had opposing allegiances. If the authors of one study in the pair concluded that their preferred treatment was superior and the authors of the other study concluded that their preferred treatment was superior or that the two treatments were equivalent, these patterns would suggest allegiance bias. In 10 of the 19 pairs, the patterns were consistent with the operation of an allegiance bias, indicating that although allegiance biases are not inevitable, they are ubiquitous. Practitioners and other psychotherapy research consumers should use caution when interpreting the findings from treatment comparison studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Zimmerman
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - David K Marcus
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Honkalampi K, Urhonen HR, Virtanen M. Negative effects in randomized controlled trials of psychotherapies and psychological interventions: A systematic review. Psychother Res 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38266653 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2301972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychotherapy is a key evidence-based method for the treatment of mental disorders. However, little research has been published on the negative effects of psychotherapies. Aims: We examined this issue through a systematic literature review of previous systematic reviews on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: We focused on previous reviews and meta-analyses on 1) RCTs examining the effectiveness of psychotherapies and 2) previous reviews and meta-analyses specifically focusing on the negative effects of psychotherapy. We included publications published in PubMed and the Cochrane Databases from the year 2000 or later. Results: Of the 1,430 relevant publications, only a small proportion (30%) mentioned negative outcomes, mostly withdrawal. Only 57 of the extracted original studies monitored potential negative effects, and only three small-scale studies indicated negative effects. Conclusions: The systematic monitoring of negative effects in psychotherapy has not been given the same attention as has been given to the benefits of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Honkalampi
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Henna-Riikka Urhonen
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Marianna Virtanen
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
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Flückiger C, Paul J, Hilpert P, Vîslă A, Gómez Penedo J, Probst GH, Wampold BE. Estimating the reproducibility of psychotherapy effects in mood and anxiety disorders: the possible utility of multicenter trials. World Psychiatry 2021; 20:445-446. [PMID: 34505364 PMCID: PMC8429321 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Paul
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Peter Hilpert
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK
| | - Andreea Vîslă
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Bruce E. Wampold
- Modum Bad Psychiatric CenterVikersundNorway,University of WisconsinMadisonWI, USA
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Smith K, McLeod J, Blunden N, Cooper M, Gabriel L, Kupfer C, McLeod J, Murphie MC, Oddli HW, Thurston M, Winter LA. A Pluralistic Perspective on Research in Psychotherapy: Harnessing Passion, Difference and Dialogue to Promote Justice and Relevance. Front Psychol 2021; 12:742676. [PMID: 34552542 PMCID: PMC8450328 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.742676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoption of a pluralistic perspective on research design, processes of data collection and analysis and dissemination of findings, has the potential to enable psychotherapy research to make a more effective contribution to building a just society. A review of the key features of the concept of pluralism is followed by a historical analysis of the ways in which research in counselling, psychotherapy and related disciplines has moved in the direction of a pluralistic position around knowledge creation. Core principles of a pluralistic approach to research are identified and explored in the context of a critical case study of contemporary research into psychotherapy for depression, examples of pluralistically oriented research practices, and analysis of a pluralistic conceptualisation of the nature of evidence. Implications of a pluralistic perspective for research training and practice are discussed. Pluralistic inquiry that emphasises dialogue, collaboration, epistemic justice and the co-existence of multiple truths, creates opportunities for individuals, families and communities from a wide range of backgrounds to co-produce knowledge in ways that support their capacities for active citizenship and involvement in open democratic decision-making. To fulfil these possibilities, it is necessary for psychotherapy research to be oriented towards social goals that are sufficiently relevant to both researchers and co-participants to harness their passion and work together for a common good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Smith
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - John McLeod
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mick Cooper
- Department of Psychology, Roehampton University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne Gabriel
- School of Education, Language and Psychology, York St John University, York, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Kupfer
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Julia McLeod
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hanne Weie Oddli
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mhairi Thurston
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Anne Winter
- Manchester Institute of Education, Schools of Environment, Education, and Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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