Abstract

The authors conducted a series of multiple regression analyses of data from depressed patients. They found that 8 factors consistently predicted treatment response: a lower initial level of distress, imipramine treatment, a positive attitude toward group psychotherapy, and a good employment history predicted lower posttreatment distress levels; estrogen maintenance treatment was related to better response to diazepam, and a low level of intelligence predicted better response to both diazepam and imipramine; and a low initial level of interpersonal sensitivity and a significant other's having an unfavorable attitude toward psychiatric treatment were associated with better response to group psychotherapy.

PIP:

Multiple regression analyses of experimental data from emotionally depressed patients were conducted to determine factors bearing on the prediction of response to 6 types of treatment of depression. The following 8 factors were found to consistently predict favorable response to treatment: 1) lower initial level of distress, 2) treatment with imipramine, 3) a good employment history, 4) a positive attitude toward group psychotherapy, 5) estrogen replacement therapy enhanced the response to diazepam, 6) a low level of intelligence was predictive of a better response to diazepam and imipramine, 7) a low initial level of interpersonal intersensitivity, and 8) an unfavorable attitude toward psychiatric treatment was associated with a better response to group psychotherapy.