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Arnskötter W, Martin S, Walitza S, Hediger K. Effects of including a dog on treatment motivation and the therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent psychotherapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:26. [PMID: 38183121 PMCID: PMC10768352 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07854-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motivation and a therapeutic alliance are crucial for successful therapy. It is assumed that dogs can increase motivation and help support therapeutic relationships. This is one of the reasons for including dogs in psychotherapy. While the positive effects of psychotherapy with dogs have been documented over the past years, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of animal-assisted psychotherapy. This study therefore aims to investigate whether and how the presence of a dog affects motivation and the therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent psychotherapy. METHODS The study is a randomized controlled trial assessing motivation and the therapeutic alliance during the first five sessions of psychotherapy attended by children and adolescents with different psychiatric disorders. We will recruit 150 children and adolescents and randomly assign them to one of three conditions: (a) a dog is present but not integrated in the therapeutic narrative, (b) a dog is actively integrated in the therapeutic narrative, and (c) no dog is present. The children's and adolescents' evaluations of the therapeutic alliance and of their motivation will be assessed as the primary outcomes using standardized questionnaires before and after the first five therapy sessions as well as at follow-up. Further outcomes include the therapists' evaluations of the therapeutic alliance and their motivation, treatment adherence of the children and adolescents, and treatment satisfaction of the children and adolescents, their parents, and of the therapists. Interventions are conducted by experienced therapists who regularly work with their dogs. Outcomes will be analyzed using general linear models, with the treatment group as a fixed factor and the baseline values as covariates. DISCUSSION This study provides information on the possible motivation and alliance-enhancing effects of integrating a dog into child and adolescent psychotherapy. This is relevant for practice, as these two components are strong predictors of therapy outcome. Moreover, the study will contribute to a better understanding of how a dog should be incorporated into psychotherapeutic settings. This can lead to a more purposeful inclusion of dogs in psychotherapy for children and adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05384808, on 20 May 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suzanne Martin
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hediger
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands
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Albaum CS, Sellitto T, Vashi N, Bohr Y, Weiss JA. Treatment Engagement as a Predictor of Therapy Outcome Following Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06083-7. [PMID: 37642867 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Active engagement in one's therapy is a key contributor to successful outcomes. Research on child engagement in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has largely focused on youth without autism. This longitudinal study examined multiple indicators of child engagement in relation to outcomes for autistic children who took part in CBT for emotion regulation. METHOD Data were collected from 60 autistic children who were between 8 and 13 years of age (86.7% male; Mage = 9.58 years, SD = 1.44 years; 75% White). Indicators of child engagement included independent observer ratings of in-session involvement, as measured by the Child Involvement Rating Scale, and therapist ratings of the therapeutic relationship and homework completion using single-item measures. Indicators of engagement were measured at early (i.e., first third), middle (i.e., mid third), and late (i.e., final third) stages of treatment. Parent-reported emotion regulation was the primary treatment outcome, as measured by the Emotion Regulation Checklist. RESULTS After controlling for pre-treatment scores, in-session involvement significantly predicted some aspects of post-treatment emotion regulation, whereas therapeutic relationship and homework completion did not. CONCLUSIONS Child in-session involvement throughout therapy may be particularly relevant for treatment change. Addressing issues related to in-session involvement early in treatment may help to promote therapeutic success for autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly S Albaum
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Teresa Sellitto
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Nisha Vashi
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Yvonne Bohr
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jonathan A Weiss
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
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Albaum CS, Vashi N, Bohr Y, Weiss JA. A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Process Factors in Mental Health Treatment for Autistic Youth. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:212-241. [PMID: 35999330 PMCID: PMC9879813 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-022-00409-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the role of therapeutic process factors in treatment change may prove useful for discerning why some autistic youth benefit from psychosocial interventions that target emotional and psychological aspects of mental health, while others do not. The aim of the current study was to synthesize what is currently known about therapeutic process factors in mental health treatment of emotional and psychological challenges for autistic youth, regarding how process factors have been measured in past research, and the relation between process factors and treatment outcome. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to narratively synthesize all articles published up until June 2021. Methodological quality of included studies was appraised. Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria. Process factors assessed across studies included relational factors; treatment expectations, readiness, and satisfaction; and treatment engagement from youth and their parents. Process-outcome associations were reported for a limited number of constructs. There is a limited, albeit growing, body of high-quality research evaluating the role of process factors in the treatment of mental health issues for autistic youth. Future research should continue to examine process factors in relation to treatment outcome, and validate measures to accurately capture process-related constructs in mental health treatment for this population. Greater understanding of therapy processes can lead to developing evidence-informed strategies that clinicians can implement to promote positive expectations, relationships, and engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly S Albaum
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Nisha Vashi
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Yvonne Bohr
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jonathan A Weiss
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
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Fernandes H. Therapeutic Alliance in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Child and Adolescent Mental Health-Current Trends and Future Challenges. Front Psychol 2022; 12:610874. [PMID: 35046861 PMCID: PMC8763013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.610874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This extended literature review proposes to present the trends in the therapeutic alliance, outcomes, and measures in the last decade within the premises of individual cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and its innovations, used as an interventional measure in the context of child and adolescent mental health setting. A brief background of the rationale for conducting this literature search is presented at the start. This is followed by the methodology and design which incorporates the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the basis for the same. The critical appraisal of the primary studies is presented in the literature review section with a brief description of the summary features of the studies in the study tables followed by the results and discussion of the study findings. To summarise, the literature review of primary studies conducted in the last decade demonstrates the need for further research to be conducted both in the field of CBT in children and therapeutic alliance, competence, and therapy outcomes, integrating perspectives in child development, carer alliance, and the social construct theory in children, to allow for further innovations in CBT in the context of increasing challenges in the current times of exponentially developing technology and its utility without compromising the quality of therapy. In conclusion, recommendations are made as a guideline for future studies and research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Fernandes
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
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Lin XB, Lim CG, Lee TS. Social Deficits or Interactional Differences? Interrogating Perspectives on Social Functioning in Autism. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:823736. [PMID: 35546922 PMCID: PMC9084456 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.823736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social dysfunction is a key characteristic of autism. Determining and treating autism-related social deficits have been challenging. The medical model views interpersonal difficulties in autism as a localized set of deficits to be managed, whereas the neurodiversity movement calls for the accommodation of differences by the larger community. One common assumption underlying these perspectives is a misalignment in social behaviors between autistic individuals and neurotypicals. This paper reviews and interrogates current perspectives on social functioning in autism to uncover the intricacies of such a notion. Even though extant literature has alluded to a misalignment in social behaviors between autistic and neurotypical individuals, it is uncertain where this disparity lies. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Bernice Lin
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon Guan Lim
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tih-Shih Lee
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Suttle M, Hall MW, Pollack MM, Berg RA, McQuillen PS, Mourani PM, Sapru A, Carcillo JA, Startup E, Holubkov R, Dean JM, Notterman DA, Meert KL. Therapeutic Alliance Between Bereaved Parents and Physicians in the PICU. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2021; 22:e243-e252. [PMID: 33044415 PMCID: PMC8016694 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000002585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Therapeutic alliance is the collaborative bond that develops between patients/families and healthcare providers. Our objective is to determine the extent of therapeutic alliance bereaved parents perceive to have occurred with their child's physicians during their child's PICU stay, and associated factors. DESIGN Multicenter observational study. SETTING Eight children's hospitals affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. PATIENTS Parents greater than or equal to 18 years old whose child died in a PICU (including cardiac ICU). INTERVENTIONS Bereaved parents completed the Human Connection Scale, a 16-item measure of therapeutic alliance, 6 months after their child's death. Human Connection Scale scores range from 16 to 64 with higher scores indicating greater alliance. Parents provided sociodemographic data, and medical records were reviewed for the child's clinical characteristics. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Two-hundred and thirty-three parents of 157 deceased children responded to the Human Connection Scale with greater than or equal to 80% item completion. Among parents, 146 (62.7%) were female, 155 (66.5%) were White and 46 (19.7%) were Black, 175 (75.1%) were married, and 209 (89.7%) had at least a high-school education. Among children, median age at the time of death was 5.9 years (interquartile range, 0.64-13.9 yr) and 114 (72.6%) died after limitation or withdrawal of life support. Mean Human Connection Scale score was 51.4 ± 11.1 for all parents, 52.6 ± 9.0 for White parents, and 47.0 ± 13.7 for Black parents. In multivariable modeling predicting Human Connection Scale scores, race was the only parent or child characteristic in the final model. Human Connection Scale scores were significantly different (-4.56; 95% CI, -8.53 to -0.6; p = 0.025) between the Black and White parents with items about trust, care, and honest communication showing the greatest mean difference. CONCLUSIONS Among parents bereaved in the PICU, therapeutic alliance with physicians is moderately high. Future research should identify strategies to strengthen therapeutic alliance with Black parents and examine the role of alliance on bereaved parents' health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markita Suttle
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Mark W. Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Murray M. Pollack
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s National Hospital, Washington DC
| | - Robert A. Berg
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Patrick S. McQuillen
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Peter M. Mourani
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Anil Sapru
- Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children’s Hospital, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Joseph A. Carcillo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Emily Startup
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Richard Holubkov
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - J. Michael Dean
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Kathleen L. Meert
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Detroit, MI
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Kang E, Gioia A, Pugliese CE, Islam NY, Martinez-Pedraza FDL, Girard RM, McLeod BD, Carter AS, Lerner MD. Alliance-Outcome Associations in a Community-Based Social Skills Intervention for Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behav Ther 2021; 52:324-337. [PMID: 33622503 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the alliance is a consistent predictor of treatment outcomes in psychosocial interventions, few studies have examined this association among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, youth-therapist alliance has never been examined in social skills interventions (SSIs), a common modality for this population. In this study, thirty-four youth with ASD (Mage = 12.41; 79% male) participated in a community-delivered, group-based SSI in a summer camp format led by eight Head Therapists (Mage = 32.12; 50% male). Early alliance and change in alliance over the course of the treatment were assessed via self- and observer-reported measures. Both self- and observer-rated alliance were associated with positive treatment outcomes as reported by parents (decreased problem behaviors) and other peers in the group (reciprocated friendship and social preference). These results provide the first evidence of the role of the alliance in an SSI for youth with ASD and add to the growing body of literature that demonstrates the importance of assessing and addressing the alliance in treatment for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kang
- Stony Brook University; Montclair State University.
| | | | - Cara E Pugliese
- Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Health System
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Therapeutic Alliance Formation for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Relation to Treatment Outcomes and Client Characteristics. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:1446-1457. [PMID: 32737670 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04623-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic alliance may influence treatment outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined the trajectory of alliance, observationally-measured at four timepoints during a 16-week mindfulness-based treatment targeting emotion regulation problems in adolescents and young adults with ASD (n = 37, mean age = 15.28, 78.40% male). Variability in alliance as a function of client characteristics and the degree to which alliance predicted emotion regulation outcomes were assessed using parent-report forms. Results demonstrate that alliance fluctuates throughout treatment. Moreover, stronger alliance predicts decreased dysphoria at posttreatment. Results also suggest that increased ASD symptom severity and depression predict weaker alliance early and throughout treatment. Findings highlight a need for clinicians to consider the importance of developing strong alliance for clients with ASD.
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Burnham Riosa P, Khan M, Weiss JA. Measuring therapeutic alliance in children with autism during cognitive behavior therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2019; 26:761-767. [PMID: 31614045 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic alliance (TA), or the collaborative relationship between a therapist and client, has been shown to be an important component of intervention success. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Alliance Scale (TPOCS-A). The sample consisted of 20 children (19 males) ages 8 to 12 years with autism and their parents (15 mothers, 5 fathers), who completed a cognitive-behavioural intervention designed to improve children's emotion regulation skills. Two trained coders rated early, middle, and late parent and child alliance using the TPOCS-A after watching video recorded therapy sessions. Therapist-reported child involvement, alliance, and adherence were also assessed. Psychometric findings revealed that the TPOCS-A is a reliable and valid measure of therapeutic alliance for children with autism. The implications of examining TA in empirically supported treatments for this population are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Burnham Riosa
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Khan
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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