Impact of Motivation on the Working Alliance in Couples Therapy

Abstract

This study used the actor partner interdependence model to examine the relationship between motivation, measured through the transtheoretical model of change (TTM), and the working alliance in couple�s therapy. The study was underpowered due to the small sample size (22 couples). Using the APIM, the study did not find a significant relationship between a partner�s motivation level and his or her own rating of the alliance; the study also did not find a significant relationship between one partner�s motivation level and his or her partner�s alliance. The study proposed the concept of a split in motivation and examined its relationship to the alliance using both statistical and visual analyses. No significant results were found, but several relevant trends emerged suggesting a relationship between differences in motivation levels between members of a couple, and differences between members rating of the alliance. Moderate but insignificant correlations were found between a male partner�s motivation and female partner�s alliance. Challenges in applying TTM to couples therapy are addressed suggesting the TTM may not capture the construct of �motivation� in couples� therapy. Implications for clinicians and directions for future research are explored.