The Role of Interpersonal Characteristics in Early and Developing Therapeutic Alliance Among Periadolescents with Anxiety

Little work has examined associations between interpersonal factors and changes in the therapeutic alliance. We examined the association between baseline youth family and peer interpersonal characteristics and therapeutic alliance throughout treatment in a sample of anxious youths who received cognitive behavioral therapy or client-centered therapy. Youths (N = 135; M = 10.94; SD = 1.46) were in a randomized clinical trial for anxiety disorders. Interpersonal characteristics were assessed via parent-report, youth self-report, and observational methods. Lower levels of parent-rated shyness, higher levels of positive interpersonal style, and being female were associated with higher early therapist-rated alliance. Being female was associated with more rapid increases in therapist-rated alliance. Friendship quality, younger age, and lower aggressive interpersonal style predicted higher baseline youth-rated alliance. Positive interpersonal style and stronger family functioning were associated with more rapid increases in youth-rated alliance. Therapists should be aware of client interpersonal characteristics when working with youth.