[Utilization of psychotherapy depending on treatment motivation during the diagnostic stage assessed in an outpatient clinic].

OBJECTIVES: So far treatment motivation of patients who have not yet started psychotherapy has been widely neglected. The present study investigates treatment motivation in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital.
METHOD: Treatment motivation (FPTM) and emotional distress (SCL-90-R) were assessed before and three weeks after the diagnostic interview. A six months follow-up focussed the utilisation of psychotherapy. 155 patients were included in the study.
RESULTS: Patients who suffer from emotional distress before the interview were more likely to seek professional help. Three weeks after the interview hope, sufferance and initiative were related to seeking behaviour and taking up psychotherapy. The relationship between treatment motivation and health care seeking behaviour was not influenced by age, sex and symptom severity.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment motivation plays a decisive role in the utilisation of psychotherapy. Patient motivation for psychotherapy has to be strengthened in the decision making stage. Hope for amelioration is a crucial factor in the process of health care seeking behaviour.