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Spouse-Aided Therapy with Agoraphobics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. M. G. Emmelkamp ,
R. van Dyck ,
M. Bitter ,
R. Heins ,
E. J. Onstein  and
B. Eisen
P. M. G. Emmelkamp*
Affiliation:
University of Groningen
R. van Dyck
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
M. Bitter
Affiliation:
University of Groningen
R. Heins
Affiliation:
University of Groningen
E. J. Onstein
Affiliation:
University of Groningen
B. Eisen
Affiliation:
University of Leiden
*
∗Academic Hospital, Department of Clinical Psychology, Oostersingel 59, 9713 EZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Sixty agoraphobics were treated by behavioural therapy (self-exposure in vivo) either with their partner involved in all aspects of treatment or without their partner. The two treatment formats were about equally effective. Behavioural treatment directed at the agoraphobia resulted in improvement irrespective of marital quality and partner involvement in the therapy. The effects of treatment led neither to a deterioration of the marriage nor to adjustment problems in the partner. Avoidance behaviour, intropunitivity and overprotection were found to predict treatment response. The partners of agoraphobics were not found to have psychological problems themselves.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 160 , Issue 1 , January 1992 , pp. 51 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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