@Article{IJMHP.2020.011438,
AUTHOR = {Yan Liu, Zhihua Guo, Yun Ma, Hongyan Song, Xiaoqi Li, Ling Tan, Zhanjiang Li, Jing Sun},
TITLE = {Validation of a Self-Assessment Scale for Therapists’ Perception of Cognitive  Behavioural Therapy Skills in China: A Mixed Method},
JOURNAL = {International Journal of Mental Health Promotion},
VOLUME = {22},
YEAR = {2020},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {39--57},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/IJMHP/v22n2/39363},
ISSN = {2049-8543},
ABSTRACT = {Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a first-line psychotherapy in 
Western countries, yet there have been limited studies examined the required skills 
based on perception of CBT therapists in the context of Western countries, and 
there has been no such research in China. Currently, there is no exist of a selfassessment scale to evaluate the required competence perceived by CBT therapists
in China. This study used both qualitative and quantitative method to develop a 
self-assessment tool by CBT therapist to provide their perception about required 
skills in the treatment of mental disorders in China. Qualitative research used semistructured behavioural event interviews to identify the essential competences 
perceived by CBT therapists in China. Based on the qualitative research results, 
quantitative research was further used to develop a self-rated instrument with 52 
questions. Three-hundred therapists who were conducting CBT therapy for clients 
with mental disorders were invited to participate in the study, 278 of which 
answered the survey. Among 25 therapists in the qualitative research, three key 
themes relating to the success of treatment using CBT were extracted from the 
interview. These themes including generic psychotherapy competencies, common 
CBT theory, mastering basic CBT techniques are essential skills in the effective 
application of CBT treatment. Another two themes on challenges and difficulties 
in the application of CBT include formulating clients’ problems and plans and 
using CBT techniques properly. Among 52 questions, 44 questions were analysed, 
which identified four CBT competence related factors: 1. generic psychotherapy 
competencies; 2. mastering CBT theory and skills; 3. using CBT techniques 
properly; 4. formulating clients’ problems and plans. The reliability using 
Cronbach’s α and half-reliability coefficient analysis showed that the therapist 
competence self-assessment scale had a high level of reliability of 0.94. The 
content validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity were high, and the 
structure of the instrument was reasonable. The self-assessment scale may provide 
a reliable and valid tool to self-assess the required competence and skills perceived 
by CBT therapists in China, and provide useful information for CBT training 
curriculum and program in China.},
DOI = {10.32604/IJMHP.2020.011438}
}