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A review of outcome studies of rational-emotive therapy from 1982–1989

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Abstract

In 1977, DiGiuseppe and Miller provided a review of the literature assessing the effectiveness of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET). In 1984, McGovern and Silverman completed a similar review for outcome studies conducted from 1977 through mid-1981. This present study is meant as a continuation of those reviews. The 89 studies reviewed are divided into three sections: outcome studies that do not compare Rational-Emotive Therapy with other types of treatment; a review of outcome studies that do compare RET with other types of psychotherapy; and a review of Rational-Emotive outcome studies that either combine RET with other therapies or are not appropriate for the first two sections. There does appear to be some increased sophistication in the research conducted since 1982. Increases were noted in the number of control groups used in the current research as well as in the number of follow-up studies. There also appears to be an improvement in the comparison of RET with other forms of therapy, and the number of problem areas in which RET has been tested has increased. A decrease in post-test only studies and an increased variety of subjects have also improved the current research. Issues such as socioeconomic status and I.Q. of subjects, duration of treatment, and lack of longitudinal studies remain unaddressed. It is suggested that future researchers concentrate on these specific problems to improve the credibility of RET. This review coincides with the previous findings that RET is a valuable, effective therapy that warrants increased research to broaden its application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Loyola University Chicago, 820 North Michigan Ave., 60611, Chicago, IL

    Manuel S. Silverman & Margaret McCarthy

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  1. Manuel S. Silverman
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  2. Margaret McCarthy
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  3. Terrance McGovern
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Manuel S. Silverman, Ph.D., is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Loyola University Chicago.

Margaret M. McCarthy, M.A., is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago.

Terrance McGovern, Ph.D., is in Private Practice in Downers Grove, Illinois.

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Silverman, M.S., McCarthy, M. & McGovern, T. A review of outcome studies of rational-emotive therapy from 1982–1989. J Rational-Emot Cognitive-Behav Ther 10, 111–186 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01061071

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