PREDICTING BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OUTCOME FOR AGORAPHOBIA AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

This paper reviews findings of retrospective studies of factors predic tive of behavior therapy outcome immediately after treatment or at fol low-up for panic disorder with and without ago raphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder Despite disagreement on some variables, most predi ctor variables (most demographic variables, severity of symptoms, depr ession, general anxiety, assertiveness, expectancy and motivation, and treatment context) were not consistently associated with outcome Seve re avoidance behavior and avoidant personality disorder were problemat ic for agoraphobic clients. Findings for depressed mood were contradic tory, and comorbid major depression and other Axis I and II conditions are understudied. Research on marital quality for PDA is also conflic ting. Spouse or family involvement in therapy appears more advantageou s for PDA than OCD clients. For OCD, insight into the rationality of o bsessions has not proven predictive. Therapist qualities associated wi th outcome varied-somewhat with the disorder Possible reasons for disc repant findings are discussed and implications for treatment regimens and additional research are proposed.