The Dynamic Assessment Interview (DAI), interpersonal process measured by Structural analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) and therapeutic outcome

In this study we investigated the interrelationships between the Dynamic As sessment Interview (DAI), the interpersonal process of the assessment inter view analyzed with Structural analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), and treat ment outcome. The DAI is a semistructured interview and rating procedure de signed to evaluate patient suitability for psychodynamic psychotherapy base d on the patient's immediate interaction with the assessment interviewer. I n the selected sample (n = 20) the DAI ratings showed no significant correl ations with the SASB-coded interpersonal process of the assessment intervie w nor with treatment outcome. The SASB-coded interpersonal process in the a ssessment interview correlated significantly with interpersonal process ear ly in therapy and was able to predict treatment outcome. It is concluded th at the abstract "inner" patient characteristics traditionally assumed to be of major prognostic importance for psychodynamic psychotherapy might be of limited validity, whereas the patient offered interpersonal process is wor th further consideration as a predictor of treatment outcome. Finally, the relatively stressful structure of the DAI interview might have facilitated the prediction of treatment outcome from the interpersonal process in the a ssessment interview.