Observed behaviors during clinical interviews predict improvement in depression

  • A. L. Bouhuys
  • D. G. M. Beersma
  • R. H. Van den Hoofdakker
Article
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Abstract

A considerable percentage of depressed patients do not respond to antidepressive treatment. Early indicators of prognosis are needed. The aims of this study are to examine (a) whether the interpersonal behavior of patients and psychiatrist, as assessed by means of direct observation of behavior during a baseline clinical interview, might have predictive value with respect to therapeutic outcome and (b) which predictive potency measures of psychomotor activation, as assessed by less refined methods, such as global clinical judgment, might have. In the analysis used, speech-pause behavior was taken as the basic structure of the interaction. The relations of other behaviors such as looking and hand and head movement with this structure were determined. Evidence is presented that in a group of 31 depressives, improvement after a period of 10 weeks was related to observed behaviors during a baseline interview. The behaviors of the patients are interpreted as “relational” or “nonrelational.” The relational behaviors (i.e., looking yesnodding, gesturing) occur less in patients who will improve, whereas the nonrelational behaviors (i.e., intensive body touching, head movements) occur more in these patients. The nonrelational behaviors are presumed to be indicative of the state of arousal. The predictive potency of these variables could not be explained by their relationship with the baseline severity of depression, which in itself also predicted improvement. Moreover, global clinical assessment of psychomotor activation (i.e., retardation and agitation) could not be related to outcome.

Key words

observed behaviors prediction depression 
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Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1987

Authors and Affiliations

  • A. L. Bouhuys
    • 1
  • D. G. M. Beersma
    • 1
  • R. H. Van den Hoofdakker
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Biological PsychiatryUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands

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