Relationship of the A-B variable to patient symptomatology and psychotherapy expectancies

In previous research, therapists' A-B status has predicted differential therapist effectiveness with schizoid vs. neurotic patients, but patients' A-B status has not been studied. This study related the A-B scores of 60 male college clinic patients (As, controls, and Bs), to therapist ratings of presenting symptoms and S's own complaints and role expectancies. As exhibited turning against the self, intropunitive symptoms, whereas Bs showed extrapunitive tendencies. Role expectancy data suggested, surprisingly, that As enter therapy expecting to unburden themselves in active, productive manner, whereas Bs appear to seek rational guidance and correctives. With respect to these adjustive modes and role expectancies, therapist-patient complementarity, rather than similarity, may partially mediate the effectiveness of therapy interactions. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).