Development and validation of an 8-item version of the Real Relationship Inventory–Client form

Objective: To develop and validate a very brief version of the 24-item Real Relationship Inventory–Client (RRI-C) form.Method: Two independent samples of individual psychotherapy patients (Nsample1=700, Nsample2=434) completed the RRI-C along with other measures. Psychometric scale shortening involved exploratory factor analysis, item response theory analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multigroup CFA. Reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the scale and subscales were also assessed.Results: The 8-item RRI-C (RRI-C-SF) preserves the two-factor structure: Genuineness (k=4, α=.86) and Realism (k=4, α=.87), which were correlated at r=.74. CFA provided the following fit indices for the bifactor model: X2/df=2.16, CFI=.99, TLI=.96, RMSEA=.07, and SRMR=.03. Multigroup CFA showed that the RRI-C-SF was invariant across in-person and remote session formats. The RRI-C-SF demonstrated high reliability (α=.91); high correlation with the full-length scale (r=.96); and excellent convergent and discriminant validity with measures of other elements of the therapeutic relationship, personality characteristics, current mental health state, and demographic-clinical variables. Clinical change benchmarks were calculated to serve as valuable tools for both research and clinical practice.Conclusion: The RRI-C-SF is a reliable measure that can be used for both research and clinical purposes. It enables a nuanced assessment of the genuineness and the realism dimensions of the real relationship

Mathematical model of the dynamics of psychotherapy

The success of psychotherapy depends on the nature of the therapeutic relationship between a therapist and a client. We use dynamical systems theory to model the dynamics of the emotional interaction between a therapist and client. We determine how the therapeutic endpoint and the dynamics of getting there depend on the parameters of the model. Previously Gottman et al. used a very similar approach (physical-sciences paradigm) for modeling and making predictions about husband–wife relationships. Given that this novel approach shed light on the dyadic interaction between couples, we have applied it to the study of the relationship between therapist and client. The results of our computations provide a new perspective on the therapeutic relationship and a number of useful insights. Our goal is to create a model that is capable of making solid predictions about the dynamics of psychotherapy with the ultimate intention of using it to better train therapists

Cognitive behavioural therapy versus supportive therapy for persistent positive symptoms in psychotic disorders: The POSITIVE Study, a multicenter, prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial

Background: It has been demonstrated that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has a moderate effect on symptom reduction and on general well being of patients suffering from psychosis. However, questions regarding the specific efficacy of CBT, the treatment safety, the cost-effectiveness, and the moderators and mediators of treatment effects are still a major issue. The major objective of this trial is to investigate whether CBT is specifically efficacious in reducing positive symptoms when compared with non-specific supportive therapy (ST) which does not implement CBT-techniques but provides comparable therapeutic attention. Methods: The POSITIVE study is a multicenter, prospective, single-blind, parallel group, randomised clinical trial, comparing CBT and ST with respect to the efficacy in reducing positive symptoms in psychotic disorders. CBT as well as ST consist of 20 sessions altogether, 165 participants receiving CBT and 165 participants receiving ST. Major methodological aspects of the study are systematic recruitment, explicit inclusion criteria, reliability checks of assessments with control for rater shift, analysis by intention to treat, data management using remote data entry, measures of quality assurance (e.g. on-site monitoring with source data verification, regular query process), advanced statistical analysis, manualized treatment, checks of adherence and competence of therapists. Research relating the psychotherapy process with outcome, neurobiological research addressing basic questions of delusion formation using fMRI and neuropsychological assessment and treatment research investigating adaptations of CBT for adolescents is combined in this network. Problems of transfer into routine clinical care will be identified and addressed by a project focusing on cost efficiency. Discussion: This clinical trial is part of efforts to intensify psychotherapy research in the field of psychosis in Germany, to contribute to the international discussion on psychotherapy in psychotic disorders, and to help implement psychotherapy in routine care. Furthermore, the study will allow drawing conclusions about the mediators of treatment effects of CBT of psychotic disorders. Trial Registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN2924287

Exploring how Chinese primary school psychological counsellors understand and use therapeutic stories

Psychological counsellors in western countries have used stories and storytelling for therapeutic purposes for decades. However, the development of the profession of school counselling in China is at an early stage and little research has been done on using therapeutic stories in Chinese primary school settings. This exploratory study presents qualitative data on using therapeutic stories collected from interviews with Chinese psychological counsellors who work with primary school students. Findings from a grounded theory analysis revealed that therapeutic stories were used by the participants in various therapeutic approaches. A spectrum of therapist directiveness was developed to integrate different ways of using therapeutic stories

COSTS OF WETLAND RESTRICTIONS TO KANSAS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS

The purpose of this study was to identify the cost of permanent and seasonal wetlands to Kansas Agricultural producers. The analysis was based on survey data collected from Kansas Farm Management Association members. Regression analysis indicated that wetlands are costly to agricultural producers. Permanent wetlands were found to be slightly more costly than seasonal wetlands. Importantly, the results suggested dispersed wetlands are more costly to Kansas farms compared to contiguous wetlands. This study provides information that could be useful in determining farm policy. A subsidy to aggregate wetland acres was expected to reduce costs to producers, while also benefiting society from increased biodiversity

COSTS OF WETLAND RESTRICTIONS TO KANSAS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS

The purpose of this study was to identify the cost of permanent and seasonal wetlands to Kansas Agricultural producers. The analysis was based on survey data collected from Kansas Farm Management Association members. Regression analysis indicated that wetlands are costly to agricultural producers. Permanent wetlands were found to be slightly more costly than seasonal wetlands. Importantly, the results suggested dispersed wetlands are more costly to Kansas farms compared to contiguous wetlands. This study provides information that could be useful in determining farm policy. A subsidy to aggregate wetland acres was expected to reduce costs to producers, while also benefiting society from increased biodiversity.Land Economics/Use,

AJAE Appendix: Farmers' Perceived Costs of Wetlands: Effects of Wetland Size, Hydration, and Dispersion

The material contained herein is supplementary to the article named in the title and published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Volume 90, Number 1, February 2008

Cost of wetlands

We survey landowners to investigate the costs associated with the presence of permanent or seasonal wetland areas in cropland. We find, as predicted by our conceptual model, that dispersion of wetland areas imposes substantial inconvenience costs for producers but that costs respond nonlinearly and irregularly to changes in the frequency of hydration. Producer attitudes toward conservation and environmental regulation have a significant impact on perceived costs, as do some demographic attributes. The analysis suggests that incentives to aggregate dispersed wetlands into larger contiguous areas could benefit landowners while at the same time provide a net increase in wetland area