Interpersonal sensitivity predicts slower change and less change in anxiety symptoms in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Objectives: Patients in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) who are high in interpersonal sensitivity may have difficulty fully engaging in treatment because therapy sessions require intimate interpersonal interactions that are especially uncomfortable for these individuals. The current study tests the hypotheses that patients who are high in interpersonal sensitivity benefit less from CBT for symptoms of depression and anxiety, show a slower rate of change in those symptoms, and are more likely to drop out of treatment.

Methods: Participants were 832 outpatients who received naturalistic CBT.