Client expectation-preference discrepancies, perceived powerlessness, and treatment behaviors

Discrepancies between client expectations and preferences for the treatment process were viewed as constituting two types of treatment predicaments, and were investigated in relation to client continuance, perceived powerlessness, and initiative. Low reward predicament, desiring what is not expected to occur, were positively associated with continuance and powerlessness, and negatively with initialive. Aversive predicament, expecting the unwanted to occur, was negatively related to continuance and powerlessnes, and positively to initiative. Implications for treatment and further study are discussed.