Abstract
The present study evaluated the efficacy of a four-week seminar which emphasized the principles of Agentive Theory. This theory, compatible with theories of a phenomenological-existential perspective, was first developed by C. T. Warner. Agentive Theorists/Therapists emphasize that our negative emotions (depression, anger, etc.), are assertions or judgments we make and not feelings which happen to us, and thus call for control or expression. Forty-eight outpatients who sought help with personal/emotional problems from a department of behavioral medicine were assigned to either a Treatment or Waiting-list Control Group. Following a four-week treatment seminar, the Treatment Group made significantly greater improvement that the Waiting-list Control Group with respect to general mental health, somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, psychoticism and anger reduction.
Recommended Citation
Judd, Daniel K.; Bingham, Ronald D.; and Williams, Richard N.
(1988)
"Agentive Theory as Therapy: An Outcome Study,"
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy: Vol. 14:
No.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol14/iss1/5