The mentalization-based therapy adherence and quality scale (MBT-AQS): Reliability in a clinical setting

TY - JOUR

T1 - The mentalization-based therapy adherence and quality scale (MBT-AQS)

T2 - Reliability in a clinical setting

AU - Simonsen, Sebastian

AU - Juul, Sophie

AU - Kongerslev, Mickey

AU - Bo, Sune

AU - Folmo, Espen

AU - Karterud, Sigmund

PY - 2019/4/3

Y1 - 2019/4/3

N2 - The Mentalization-Based Treatment Adherence and Quality Scale (MBT-AQS) is a 17-item measure of treatment adherence and quality of individual mentalization-based therapy (MBT). Until now, reliability research on the scale has primarily been conducted by highly experienced raters from the Norwegian MBT Quality Lab who were part of its development. Hence, it can be questioned whether only experts in research settings can achieve satisfying levels of reliability on the scale. In this study, we investigated whether a satisfying level of reliability on the MBT-AQS could be obtained by experienced MBT therapists in a clinical setting following a brief one-day training course. The overall reliabilities for six raters were good for adherence (.67) and for quality (.62). Thus, the MBT-AQS was found to be an appropriate MBT adherence rating instrument with clinical and educational utility outside of the Norwegian MBT Quality Lab. However, ambiguity of some constructs, low frequency of certain item ratings and low levels of MBT quality challenge reliability. This is discussed in the context of utilizing the scale for clinical and supervising purposes.

AB - The Mentalization-Based Treatment Adherence and Quality Scale (MBT-AQS) is a 17-item measure of treatment adherence and quality of individual mentalization-based therapy (MBT). Until now, reliability research on the scale has primarily been conducted by highly experienced raters from the Norwegian MBT Quality Lab who were part of its development. Hence, it can be questioned whether only experts in research settings can achieve satisfying levels of reliability on the scale. In this study, we investigated whether a satisfying level of reliability on the MBT-AQS could be obtained by experienced MBT therapists in a clinical setting following a brief one-day training course. The overall reliabilities for six raters were good for adherence (.67) and for quality (.62). Thus, the MBT-AQS was found to be an appropriate MBT adherence rating instrument with clinical and educational utility outside of the Norwegian MBT Quality Lab. However, ambiguity of some constructs, low frequency of certain item ratings and low levels of MBT quality challenge reliability. This is discussed in the context of utilizing the scale for clinical and supervising purposes.

KW - MBT

KW - adherence

KW - assessment

KW - mentalization-based treatment

KW - quality

KW - treatment integrity

U2 - 10.1080/19012276.2018.1480406

DO - 10.1080/19012276.2018.1480406

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1904-0016

VL - 71

SP - 104

EP - 115

JO - Nordic Psychology

JF - Nordic Psychology

IS - 2

ER -