Psychotherapeutic processes and outcomes in outpatient treatment of antisocial behavior: An integrative psychotherapy approach.

Presents a descriptive 1-group prepost design study on psychotherapeutic processes and outcomes in outpatient treatment of antisocial, violent behavior. Five psychotherapists were involved in a long-term therapeutic use study applying integrative psychotherapy (cognitive– behavioral, relaxation, and psychodynamic methods) to an unselected sample of 28 male adults with dominant symptoms of acting out and violence against intimates. Clinical interviews according to DSM–IV resulted in primary diagnoses of 17 antisocial personality disorders, 6 specific adjustment disorders with disturbances of conduct, and 5 impulse control disorders. Treatment duration ranged between 7 and 19 months. Long-term outcomes were evaluated with reference to external criteria, including 5-year follow-ups (criminal and police records, occupational adjustment, and social integration). Results on psychotherapeutic processes point at the significance of adaptively planned changes in the frequency of therapeutic sessions and in alternations of therapists. Long-term outcomes are positive for symptomatology, criminal offense relapses, being on the job at least for 2 years, and integration in nondeviant social networks. Conclusions refer to suggestions for the planning and implementation of integrative psychotherapy in outpatients with dominant symptoms of violent, antisocial behavior.