A meta-analysis of the effects of role induction in psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (Chic). 2023 Sep;60(3):342-354. doi: 10.1037/pst0000475. Epub 2023 Mar 13.

Abstract

Role induction is a pantheoretical method that can be used in the initial phase of psychotherapy to prepare patients for treatment. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of role induction on treatment dropout, and immediate, mid-, and posttreatment outcomes for adult individual psychotherapy patients. A total of 17 studies were identified that met all inclusion criteria. Data from these studies indicate that role induction has a positive impact on reducing premature termination (k = 15, OR = 1.64, p = .03, I² = 56.39) and improving immediate within-session outcomes (k = 8, d = 0.64, p < .01, I² = 88.80) and posttreatment outcomes (k = 8, d = 0.33, p < .01, I² = 39.89). However, role induction did not show a significant impact on midtreatment outcomes (k = 5, d = 0.26, p = .30, I² = 71.03). Results from moderator analyses are also presented. Training implications and therapeutic practices based on this research are also discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Patient Dropouts*
  • Psychotherapy*