GENDER DIFFERENCE IN THE LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF BRIEF THERAPY FOR EMPLOYEES

Kevin Wright (kevin_wright_k@yahoo.com)
Division of Psychology, University of Abertay, Dundee, UK, and South London & Maudsley Mental Health Foundation Trust, London, UK
John McLeod (shtjm@tay.ac.uk)
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway

Abstract

Few studies have assessed the effectiveness brief therapy as offered by Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) in the U.K. The present longitudinal study firstly identified normative coping strategy scores in a sample of 2300 participants, and then examined gender differences in the changes in coping strategies in 305 participants in brief therapy, from pre- to post-treatment, and at 6-months follow-up. There was a sex difference in the mean scores for clinically significant and reliable change, with men showing improvements in the short term (pre- to post-treatment), but women showing improvements in the long term (at 6-months follow-up). This study demonstrates the importance, for therapists and researchers, of recognising sex differences in psychological outcomes.

Author Biographies

Chartered Counselling Psychologist working part-time for SLaM NHS Foundation Trust (South London & Maudsley).
Prof John McLeod has interests in pluralistic and narrative perspective in psychotherapy.

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