Quality of object relations as a moderator of the relationship between pattern of alliance and outcome in short-term individual psychotherapy

In this study, we investigated the personality variable quality of object relations (QOR) as a moderator of the relationship between the pattern of the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome in two forms (interpretive, supportive) of short-term individual psychotherapy. In a sample of 72 psychiatric outpatients who completed interpretive therapy, QOR emerged as a moderator for the outcome factor general symptomatology and dysfunction. For high-QOR patients, an increasing level of alliance was directly related to benefit, whereas for low-QOR patients, a decreasing level of alliance was directly related to benefit. An explanation for these findings emphasized the importance of patients repeating their typical pattern of maladaptive interpersonal behavior in the therapy sessions in the context of the therapist working with the transference. In a sample of 72 psychiatric outpatients who completed supportive therapy, QOR did not emerge as a moderator. These findings in combination with evidence from previous studies suggest that QOR should be investigated as a moderator variable in future studies of short-term psychotherapy.