Evaluating Values, Mindfulness, and Working Alliance: Exploring the Effects of Short, Specific Techniques
Comfactors research indicates that there is a positive relationship between therapeutic relationship and improved client outcomes. However, little research has been done to examine the nature of this relationship. The current study examined the relationship among values, mindfulness, and working alliance. This study used different specific interventions and examined the interventions' impact on values and mindfulness. The study also examined whether changes in values and mindfulness led to differences in working alliance ratings. Participants were 66 undergraduate students and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: mindfulness plus values, mindfulness, or control. The participants were then led in a short intervention exercise corresponding to assigned condition. Values connectedness, mindfulness, and positive affect increased in each of the three conditions from pre-intervention to post-intervention, but there were no statistically significant differences among conditions on these measures. Negative affect decreased in each of the three conditions from pre-intervention to post-intervention, but there were no statistically significant differences among conditions on this measure. No statistically significant group differences were found on the working alliance measures. Future research in the areas of values, mindfulness, and working alliance is discussed.
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