The Psychological Stress Evaluator as a clinical assessment instrument. Evaluation and implications.

Efficient clinical assessment of anxiety and hostility could be facilitated through the use of a mechanical measurement instrument with known validity and reliability. Preliminary evaluation of the Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE) has indicated that it could be used for this purpose. The present study reports the results of a correlational analysis between a PSE generated stress indicator (blocking pattern mode III) and the Gottschalk-Gleser Free Association Test, a verbal content-analysis measure of anxiety and hostility in psychotherapy patients. Findings do not show any correlation between these measures and suggest that the PSE may have only limited use as a valid and reliable assessment instrument for anxiety and hostility. Methodological problems inherent in the calculation and interpretation of PSE scores are elaborated in a review of current PSE scoring systems. A brief discussion of the theoretical assumptions underlying the development of the PSE and associated scoring protocols suggests directions for future research.

Marital role dynamics during brief group psychotherapy: assessment of verbal interactions.

Examined the impact of brief group psychotherapy on the marital and sex roles of five volunteer couples who participated in two, 15-session, model therapy groups conducted approximately 2 years apart. Assessments are based on Hill Interaction Matrix (HIM) analysis of the style and content of marital partners' verbal behavior during the assessions. Results show that interactional correlates of traditional marital and sex role variations are attenuated, that communication between spouses is improved, and that the therapeutic quality of verbal behavior is enhanced over the course of therapy. Generally, from the perspective of interactional dynamics, these findings suggest that the group psychotherapy model that was being evaluated is an effective mode of brief, precrisis intervention for married couples.

Issues at the clinical-research interface: placebo effect control groups.

At the clinical-research interface, controls are a significant issue in group therapy evaluation. The authors describe and analyze their unique experience with placebo effect control groups conducted prior to brief, group psychotherapy for married couples. Procedures are outlined and participant reactions noted. Solicited ratings and spontaneous comments provide assessment data. The evidence suggests the feasibility of placebo effect control groups in the context studied. Proposed methodological refinements and clinical implications may be useful for future research efforts.

Changes in serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity during group psychotherapy.

This psychobiological study investigates married-coupled group psychotherapy from pre- and postsession serum dopamine dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) determinations, the Free Association Test (FAT), and a Postsession Questionnaire (PSQ). Experimental manipulations permit controls for the assessment of DBH variations. Group, gender, and individual linear regression analyses are interpreted by a stressor-destrssor typology. DBH levels significantly increase during psychotherapy. Increments are comparable with those from physical work. Most variability in DBH is predicted from a small set of psychological variables. Psychological stressors and destressors show psychobiochemical individuality. Implications of psychological stressors for psychosomatic vulnerability are discussed.