Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations 2008 A content analysis of client hope in psychotherapy sessions Stacie Lyn Cooper Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd Recommended Citation Cooper, Stacie Lyn, "A content analysis of client hope in psychotherapy sessions" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 10. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/10 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF CLIENT HOPE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS A clinical dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology by Stacie Lyn Cooper November, 2008 Susan Hall, J.D., Ph.D. – Dissertation Chairperson This clinical dissertation, written by Stacie Lyn Cooper under the guidance of a Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY June 27th, 2008 Faculty Committee: ___________________ Susan Hall, J.D., Ph.D., Chairperson ____________________ David Elkins, Ph.D. ____________________ Thomas Greening, Ph.D __________________________ Robert A. deMayo, Ph.D.,ABPP Associate Dean __________________________ Margaret J. Weber, Ph.D. Dean © Copyright by Stacie L. Cooper (2008) All Rights Reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................................................vi DEDICATION..............................................................................................................vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................viii CURRICULUM VITAE.................................................................................................ix ABSTRACT................................................................................................................xvii INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1 History of Clinical Psychology....................................................................................1 Positive Psychology Movement...................................................................................2 Assessing Hope: Ingredient for Psychotherapeutic Success..........................................5 Purpose and Scope of Study ........................................................................................7 METHOD .......................................................................................................................9 Participants..................................................................................................................9 Instrumentation .........................................................................................................10 Client Demographics .............................................................................................11 Change and Growth Experiences Scale..................................................................11 Design.......................................................................................................................14 Procedures.................................................................................................................16 Sample Selection/Data Collection..........................................................................16 Transcription .........................................................................................................17 Data Coding ..........................................................................................................17 Human Subjects Considerations.............................................................................18 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................19 RESULTS.....................................................................................................................22 Inter-rater Reliability .................................................................................................22 Researcher Bias .....................................................................................................24 Content Analysis .......................................................................................................25 Participant 1 ..........................................................................................................26 Participant 2 ..........................................................................................................29 Participant 3 ..........................................................................................................30 Participant 4 ..........................................................................................................33 v Participant 5 ..........................................................................................................36 Themes......................................................................................................................39 Themes Across Participants...................................................................................39 Themes Across Other CHANGE Codes.................................................................46 DISCUSSION...............................................................................................................49 Codes and Themes.....................................................................................................50 CHANGE Codes ...................................................................................................51 Themes Across Participants...................................................................................56 Themes Across Codes............................................................................................63 Methodological Limitations.......................................................................................65 Potential Implications of the Current Study................................................................67 Directions for Future Research ..................................................................................69 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................71 APPENDIX A: Literature Review .................................................................................79 APPENDIX B: Client Consent Form...........................................................................109 APPENDIX C: Therapist Consent Form......................................................................115 APPENDIX D: Change and Growth Experiences Scale Training Manual....................119 APPENDIX E: Change and Growth Experiences Scale Coding Worksheet .................136 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Participant Demographic Information……………...…………………………..11 Table 2. Inter-rater Percentage Agreement Pre- and Post-Group Discussions Among 4 Coders………………………………………………………………………..…………..23 Table 3. Inter-rater Cohen’s Kappa………………………………….. ………… ……...24 Table 4. Number and Intensity of Participant Hopeful Statements……………………...26 Table 5. Common Themes Observed Across Participants………………………………41 vii DEDICATION First and foremost, this dissertation is dedicated to Mike, for his unwavering love and encouragement through my journey in the doctoral program and for being not only my husband, but also my best friend. Thank you for reminding me how to instill hope in others and take care of myself. Second, to my amazing parents (and friends), Greg and Elaine, for their love, support, and acceptance that has been a constant throughout my life. Thank you for inspiring me to make a difference in the lives of others, and modeling what true selflessness and generosity mean. To Grandma Gloria, for her unconditional love and beautiful soul that brings out the best in all around her including myself; Jen, Mike and Connor, as well as Don and Ada, my family members-by-choice, for showing me that family and love extend beyond biological relationships; my extended family, including Aunt Jan, Jamie, Erica, and the Cooper cousins, for believing in me and supporting me through all of the milestones in my life; and my new family, Eric, Peggy, and Jaime, for their patience and acceptance of my insane life these past few years. I want to thank my friends, old and new, for giving me perspective and reminding me to not take myself too seriously: Bessma, for exemplifying true friendship and always being there to listen when it matters most; my classmates (and friends) who supported me along the way; particularly Michele Archambeault, Katy Jakle, and Shana Spangler; and Anne, Pat, Jules, Niki, Debbie, Kathleen, Mariel, J-Lee, Jodi, Jen, Dave, and Travis for reminding me there is a light at the end of the tunnel and waiting for me to reemerge! All of you are precious to me and you will remain close to my heart regardless of the time that passes between our visits. viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge those