Changes in conflict, symptoms, and well-being during psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral alcohol inpatient treatment

According to Grawe's psychological therapy approach, conflict reduction can be expected not only in psychodynamic, but also in cognitive-behavioral th erapy (CBT). This was tested in an effectiveness study. Changes in cognitiv e conflicts, along with those of symptom severity and well-being were analy zed during alcohol inpatient treatment. Methods: Four times during treatmen t, groups of patients receiving psychodynamic therapy (n = 45 patients) or CBT (n = 49 patients) were measured and compared. Lauterbach's Online Confl ict Test was used to measure conflict. Symptom severity and well-being were measured using questionnaires. Results: Results showed significant conflic t decrease in both groups with a tendency towards faster reduction under CB T. There was also significant change in symptom severity and well-being in both groups with no difference regarding reduction gradient. Moreover, pati ents in the psychodynamic treatment group exhibited lower symptom scores at treatment begin which may be a consequence of clinical group assignment. C onclusions: In general, the findings confirmed Grawe's theoretical assumpti ons. Generalizability to other diagnostic groups and other clinical setting s remains to be tested. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.