Candidate: Amy J. Elliott

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Analysis of Factors Involved in Ratings of Treatment Acceptability for Trichotollomania

Date: Monday, July 2, 2001, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3715 Wood Hall

Committee:
Dr. Wayne Fuqua, Chair
Dr. Falen Alessi
Dr. James Carr
Dr. Mary Anderson

Abstract:
Based on the literature, trichotillomania (or chronic hair pulling) appears to be responsive to behavioral interventions, with habit reversal as the most promising intervention. Habit reversal has been shown effective with children and adults of varying levels of severity, but some have questioned the generality and acceptability of the procedure. Little is known about the acceptability of interventions for habit disorders. These two research studies were designed to answer questions regarding the acceptability of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for trichotillomania and to expand the conceptual knowledge of treatment acceptability.

Study 1 compared the acceptability of four interventions targeting trichotillomenia. The four treatments included habit reversal, a punishment-based procedure, medication, and hypnosis. Age of the analogue client and severity level of the hair pulling was also manipulated to assess the effect of these variables on ratings of treatment acceptability. Results showed significant differences between the four treatment conditions, with hypnosis and habit reversal rated the most acceptable. Age of the case and severity level did not significantly influence acceptability ratings.

 The study focused upon methodological and conceptual issues involved in treatment acceptability research. Currently, standard practice is to provide participants with a brief description of the procedures involved in an intervention before asking the subjects to make a rating of treatment of acceptability. Rarely are participants given explanation of why interventions have been selected and how they are likely to work. In the past, rationale  and efficacy has been manipulated through one sentence explanation stating the therapists intentions or general statements as to the effectiveness of the interventions. Study 2 investigated the potential ramifications of providing more thorough descriptions of the rationale behind the intervention, and specific technical data on effectiveness. Results showed significant increase in treatment acceptability rating across treatments when a rational statement was provided. Also, efficacy influenced treatment acceptability ratings, with higher effectiveness associated with higher treatment acceptability ratings.

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