The article  Changes is Positive Quality of Life Over the Course of Psychotherapy investigates patient’s reports of positive quality of life using various forms of psychotherapy and disorders. This study uses data from five studies that examine the change in positive quality of life and the connection to positive quality of life to changes in symptoms and the differences between disorders. The study concluded that positive quality of life became moderately better during psychotherapy and maintained during follow-up. The research examines several questions about the longitudinal change in positive quality of life including: the extent of change in quality of life during psychotherapy and follow up, the domains of quality of life that change the most during treatment,  how changes in positive quality of life differ with each type of psychiatric disorder, the relationship between symptomatic response, and change in quality of life during treatment and follow up. Topics that this article highlights includes positive quality of life, symptom reduction, cognitive therapy, and supportive-expressive therapy.  Positive quality of life or life satisfaction is the degree in which the individual evaluates his or her key needs, goals, and wishes have been fulfilled.

Aggregate data from five studies were used. All studies were completed at intake, termination, and during two post-treatment visits. The sample included 139 patients and 23 therapists. Five different assessment scales were used depending on the disorder. Each scale either relied on self-report measures or structured interviews.The data was analyzed using the Quality of Life Inventory. The study found that the areas of quality of life that most significantly changed were self-esteem, love, play, and goals. Positive quality of life increases moderately during psychotherapy and depends on disorder. I found this research clear, evidence based, and well presented because there were several figures and tables that highlighted key findings.

Crits-Christoph, P., Gibbons, M. B. C., Ring-Kurtz, S., Gallop, R., Stirman, S., Present, J., . . . Goldstein, L. (2008). Changes in positive quality of life over the course of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 45(4), 419-430. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0014340​