RELATIONSHIP OF SATISFACTION TO SYMPTOM CHANGE, FOLLOW-UP ADJUSTMENT,AND CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE

The relationship of client satisfaction to outcome was investigated fo r adult outpatients (N = 152) from 3 urban community mental health cen ters. Clients completed a problem self-rating and the Brief symptom In ventory (BSI) at intake, 10 weeks later, and 5 months later. Therapist s' ratings of client adjustment were obtained at intake and terminatio n. Clients' ratings of satisfaction with treatment were obtained at 10 -week and 5-month follow-up. Correlations between satisfaction and cli ent measures of outcome (client rating and BSI) based on pre-post chan ges, posttreatment adjustment, and Jacobson and Truax's (1991) method of measuring clinical significance were not significant. Correlations between satisfaction and therapist outcome ratings were significant bu t low for pre-post changes and clinical significance. The utility of c lient satisfaction as an outcome measure is discussed.