Confirmation of precounselling expectations: Does expectation valence moderate changes in state anxiety?

Abstract

Abstract. Despite considerable research attention, it remains unclear whether failing to meet clients' precounselling expectations causes increases in state anxiety. Empirical support for such a relationship is equivocal and it has been suggested that the treatment of expectations as a unitary construct and a lack of theory have given rise to this situation. The present study measured pre-and post-session expectations and anxiety in a sample of clients attending a university counselling service. The Expectations About Counselling questionnaire (EAC) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -Form Y (STAI-Y) were used as dependent measures. SelfRegulation theory and the Attentional Bias model of anxiety provided a theoretical framework from which the experimental hypothesis was drawn. Affective valence of expectations (positive vs. negative) was assessed as welt as whether confirmation or disconfirmation occurred. As predicted, the results failed to support a main effect for disconfirmation on elevations in state anxiety, but the moderating effect of expectation valence was observed. The theoretical and methodological implications of the results are briefly discussed.

An investigation of psychoeducational interventions about therapy

“…One explanation for this finding is provided by self-regulation theory (McLeod & Deane, 1994). This theory posits that if educational information is presented in an accurate and nonemotional format before stressful procedures, it facilitates the development of nonthreatening expectations about the approaching event for those who may hold negative expectations about the event (such as the counseling process) or consider the process of therapy to be threatening (McLeod & Deane, 1994). This indicates that fears about therapy may be reduced by methods that provide only information (without the video enhancement) to prospective clients, such as brochures and leaflets.…”

“…Therefore, it seems that presenting information about therapy in either of these two manners is helpful in reducing fearfulness about therapy. One explanation for this finding is provided by self-regulation theory (McLeod & Deane, 1994). This theory posits that if educational information is presented in an accurate and nonemotional format before stressful procedures, it facilitates the development of nonthreatening expectations about the approaching event for those who may hold negative expectations about the event (such as the counseling process) or consider the process of therapy to be threatening (McLeod & Deane, 1994).…”

“…In other words, clients' expectations are thought to focus on both the process and outcome of therapy. Results of additional studies have shown that client expectations had significant impact on therapeutic Correspondence: Jennifer M. Fende,Department of Psychology,Ohio University,200 Porter Hall,Athens, process and outcomes (Deane et al, 1992;Gaston, Marmar, Gallagher, & Thompson, 1989;Tinsley, Bowman, & Barich, 1993;Tinsley, Workman, & Kass, 1980), client compliance and participation (Docherty, 1989), and the level of fearfulness experienced by the client (McLeod & Deane, 1994).…”

“…Other pretreatment variables, such as levels of fearfulness about psychotherapy, are also correlated with the therapeutic process and outcome (Deane et al, 1992;Kushner & Sher, 1991;McLeod & Deane, 1994). Kushner and Sher (1989) define treatment fearfulness as ''a subjective state of apprehension that arises from aversive expectations about the seeking and consumption of mental health services.''…”

“…Evidence from the research literature suggests that pretreatment education of psychotherapy clients may decrease fearfulness, anxiety, and role confusion (McLeod & Deane, 1994;Reis & Brown, 1999;Tinsley, Bowman, & Barich, 1993). Pretreatment interventions also appear to facilitate improved client expectations, positive therapeutic relationships, and reduced dropout rates (Deane, Spicer, & Leathem, 1992;Docherty, 1989;Gaston, Marmar, Gallagher, & Thompson, 1989;Tinsley, Bowman, & Barich, 1993).…”