Predicting outcome of face-to-face and telephone counselling for occupational stress

The aim of the present study was to investigate predictors of outcome of counselling, using mean change scores of three outcome measures, at treatment completion and at 4-months follow-up, in a randomised trial of face-to-face (n = 30) versus telephone counselling (n = 30) for occupational stress. Factors associated with treatment outcome were investigated using regression analyses with the mean change scores in three self-rated measures, including the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Scale (CORE), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) from pre- to post-intervention and pre-intervention to 4-months follow-up as the dependent variables and demographics, intervention-related and personality measures as independent variables. Irrespective of outcome measures and assessment points, it was found that the more severe the baseline symptomatology, the higher the degree of change was achieved. Clinical relevance of the present results and directions for future research are discussed.