Assessing the Mechanism of Change of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Interpersonal Functioning, Psychological Distress

In brief

This study seeks to assess the mechanisms of change of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). FAP is a process-outcome psychotherapy that focuses on the therapeutic relationship, providing services to participants presenting with difficulties in their social interactions and relationships. A multiple baseline design between four participants who report interpersonal relating difficulties and psychological distress will be conducted. Therapists will provide contingent reinforcement to clients' behavior in session with the aim of: 1. Examining the mechanisms of change of FAP via contingent responding to participants' interpersonal difficulties. 2. Determining the effectiveness of FAP on the interpersonal functioning of verbally able adults. 3. Establishing the relationship between the amount of contingent reinforcement and the changes in clients' interpersonal repertoires (proportion). Four hypotheses will be explored in this study: (1) contingent reinforcement functions as the mechanism of change in FAP, (2) FAP implementation decreases the frequency of interpersonal problems in and out of session, (3) FAP implementation increases the frequency of interpersonal functioning in and out of session, and (4) a higher proportion of reinforcement delivered by therapist enhances clients' alternative behaviors.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03562962

Run by

University of Nevada, Reno

People needed

3

Starts

2018-02-02

Expected to finish

2018-11-02

Last updated by the study team

2018-12-20

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Interpersonal Difficulties: participants who endorse high scores in the Functional Idiographic Assessment Template-Questionnaire Short Form (Darrow et al., 2014) and report interpersonal dysfunction in a clinical interview based on the Functional Idiographic Assessment Template (Callaghan, 2001)
• Psychological Distress: participants who endorse indicators of depression, anxiety, stress, or general psychological distress based on the DASS-42 (Crawford \& Henry, 2003) and report psychological distress in a clinical interview.
• Participants who Identify themselves as needing psychological services.

You may not qualify if…

• Current substance abuse.
• Current suicidal plan.
• Past suicidal attempts.
• History of psychotic or bipolar disorders.
• Participants who are taking psychiatric medication for less than six weeks.

Where it is running

• University of Nevada, Reno — Reno, Nevada, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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