Examines whether or not psychiatric patients and normals share the same frame of reference on what constitutes a hierarchy of effective and socially accepted means of solving interpersonal problems. Patients, in contrast with normals, were found to be deficient in their ability to generate means of solving interpersonal problems. (Author/PC)

Evaluated the effects of cognitive-behavioral problem-solving skills training (PSST) and nondirective relationship therapy (RT) for the treatment of antisocial child behavior. Revealed that a significantly higher proportion of PSST children, compared with those in other conditions, fell within the normative range for prosocial behavior at…

Investigated the role of metatheoretical assumptions regarding clinicians' attributions of patient responsibility for problem cause and therapeutic change in contributing to similarities and dissimilarities in theoretical orientation and investigated the implications of these assumptions for clinical practice. Observed relations with estimated…

Investigated the relationship between the mastery of maladaptive interpersonal patterns (assessed from narratives told during psychotherapy) and outcome of psychotherapy. Transcripts from the psychodynamic psychotherapy of 41 patients were scored using a content analysis mastery scale. Changes in mastery level over the course of therapy were…

A cooperatively played board game (the Family Contract Game) was designed to enable a family to autonomously resolve problems raised by family members and to write contingency contracts. The game's use is illustrated. Problem-solving behavior improved significantly the first time the clients played the game and remained constant throughout…