Influence of Client Preparation and Therapist Prognostic Expectations on Children's Attitudes and Expectations of Psychotherapy

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Abstract
This study assessed the effects of preparation and the influence of therapist prognostic expectations on normal (non‐clinic population) children's understanding, attitudes, and expectations of psychotherapy. Seventy‐two children whose ages ranged from 6–12 years of age were differentially introduced to psychotherapy. Half of the children heard an audiotape introducing them to or preparing them for psychotherapy and half of the children were not prepared. They additionally heard high, low, or no expectations about therapy outcome. The children then completed questionnaires assessing their expectations about the structure of therapy, their attraction and receptivity to a psychotherapist, and their expectations of therapy outcome. The audiotape preparation significantly increased the children's knowledge of treatment structure and their expectations of treatment outcome. The study's findings further indicated that normal children are highly attracted and receptive to a psychotherapist and have very positive expectations for treatment outcome. Therapist prognostic expectations had no effect on children's attitudes toward psychotherapy or expectations of therapy outcome. Additional items further clarified children's perceptions of the therapy process.