Psychology Commons^™

Effect Of Distress, Referral Source, And Pressure To Attend Therapy On Motivation To Change, Lyn E. Moore

Master's Theses

Psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment, yet difficulties with engagement and dropout continue to plague the field. Poor outcomes are more likely to be achieved by poorly motivated clients and those who are mandated to attend therapy (Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992). This study examined links between motivation to change, initial levels of distress, referral source, and pressure to attend therapy in a sample of 587 individuals who attended therapy at a university-based counseling center in the Northeast. Results indicated a relationship between distress and motivation to change as well as a link between the perceived pressure felt by …