Which of the following would NOT be considered a measure of an outcome variable in a practice evaluation?

In the context of a practice evaluation, an outcome variable is typically defined as a measurable indicator that reflects the effectiveness of interventions or services provided to clients. These variables help to assess the progress or improvement in a client’s situation as a result of the intervention.

A client’s self-reported happiness is a subjective measure that can serve as an outcome variable, as it reflects the client's perception of their well-being and can indicate changes resulting from the practice. A client’s attendance at sessions is also considered an important outcome measure, as it is an observable behavior that can correlate with engagement and potential outcomes of treatment. Similarly, a client’s ability to maintain relationships can be seen as an outcome that reflects personal growth or improvement in social functioning resulting from support and interventions.

In contrast, a client's depressed feelings represent a symptom rather than an outcome measure. While it is important to assess symptoms to understand a client's current mental health status, depressed feelings do not directly indicate the outcomes of interventions. Instead, they are more related to the evaluation of baseline conditions or ongoing issues rather than demonstrating the effectiveness of the practice. Hence, this option is the one that stands out as not being an appropriate measure of an outcome variable in a practice evaluation.