A Group’s Level of Defensive Functioning Affects Individual Outcomes in Group Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Psychotherapy

We used an actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to study the association between the individual group member and other group therapy members’ defensive functioning on an individual group member’s treatment outcome. We hypothesized that (a) more adaptive individual defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes (i.e., lower binge eating and interpersonal distress) at 6 months post-treatment; and (b) more adaptive other group members’ defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes at 6 months post-treatment. Participants (N = 136) were individuals with BED enrolled in group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP). Participants completed attachment interviews and were assessed on interpersonal distress and days binged at pre-treatment and 6 months post-treatment. The interview audio recordings were transcribed and used to code defensive functioning. We found that individual overall defensive functioning (ODF) scores at pretreatment were not significantly associated with binge-eating frequency or interpersonal distress at 6 months post treatment. Other group members’ mean ODF scores at pretreatment were significantly associated with individual interpersonal distress at 6 months post-treatment. However, the other group members’ mean ODF scores were not significantly associated with individual binge-eating outcomes at 6 months post treatment. Defensive functioning of other members of a therapy group may be particularly important for improving interpersonal functioning in individuals with BED.

Filling Gaps in the Nomological Networks for Dominance and Affiliation by Examining Self-Informant Agreement on Momentary Interpersonal Behavior

Interpersonal functioning involves an interplay of subjective perceptions and overt behavior. This study examines agreement between self and informant reports of behavior measured naturalistically to investigate the associations between observable behavior, self-perceptions, and others’ perceptions and to enrich the nomological networks for the domains of dominance and affiliation. We studied a sample of romantic couples (N=193) who rated their own and their partner’s interpersonal behavior during a 21-day ambulatory assessment (AA) protocol. We used a multitrait-multimethod-multirater correlation matrix including self- and informant-reported averages and variability of dominance and affiliation measured by AA and cross-sectional self-reports of dominance, affiliation, and interpersonal distress. There was no self-informant agreement on dominance measured by AA, but there was moderate agreement on affiliation averages and variability. Only AA self-reports of average dominance and affiliation, not informant reports, converged with analogous cross-sectional self-reports. Both self and informant reports of dominance and affiliation variability correlated with self-reported interpersonal distress. Results suggest that the internal versus external experiences of dominance and affiliation differ and that these differences have important implications in everyday interpersonal functioning. Our findings also show that self-perceptions of variability in dominance and affiliation, others’ perceptions of variability, and actual behavioral variability relate to interpersonal problems.

Relationship betwwn Interpersonal Distress and Interpersonal Conflict Management Modes among College Students

Objective To explore the status of college students' interpersonal conflict management modes and interpersonal distress, and analyze the impact of interpersonal conflict management modes on college students' interpersonal distress. Methods 471 college students in Guangdong Province were randomly selected through Internet recruitment. They were investigated with Interpersonal Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale for College Students (ICDS) and Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (MODE). Results ⑴ The total score of ICDS was (13.49±3.41); The scores of competition, cooperation, compromise, avoidance and accommodation were (7.83±1.40), (6.06±1.58), (6.59±1.37), (5.18±1.25) and (5.67 ±0.94), respectively. (2) There was a significant correlation between the score of each dimension of MODE and the total score of ICDS and the scores of following three dimensions of conversation, making friends and dealing with people (|r| =.175 to .483, all P <. 01). ⑶ The results of multivariate stepwise linear regression showed that competition, avoidance and accommodation were positively correlated with the total score of ICDS（β= . 483, . 461, . 175, all P <. 01), and cooperation and compromise were negatively correlated with the total score of ICDS (β=-.311, -. 298, P <. 01). Conclusion The interpersonal distress of college students is obvious, and their interpersonal communication ability needs to be improved. The interpersonal conflict management mode may be one of the main influencing factors of college students' interpersonal distress.

Case Report: Oxytocin and Its Association With Psychotherapy Process and Outcome

The potential of Oxytocin (OT) as a facilitator of psychotherapy has been previously acknowledged, nonetheless, randomized controlled trials thus far have not yielded conclusive results. One approach suggested to clarify empirical inconsistencies is to refine the study hypotheses and data collection process by utilizing an in-depth idiographic exploration of the investigated phenomena. In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week. These two patients were randomly allocated to receive either OT or placebo, twice a day for a period of 4 weeks. Both patients completed longitudinal assessments of process and outcome measures, and therapists' clinical notes were extracted and reviewed. Reliable clinical change was calculated for all outcome and process measures. The results indicated that the patient receiving OT showed significant improvement in interpersonal distress, as well as in anxiety and depression symptoms, while the placebo patient showed no significant change during the study period. Furthermore, while both patients showed no significant changes in the therapeutic alliance ratings, the therapist of the OT patient regularly reported positive changes in alliance in the medical notes, while no such report was observed in the placebo patient. These results suggest that changes produced by OT administration may be more noticeable by the therapist. Implications for future studies aimed at assessing the effect of OT on psychotherapy process and outcome are discussed.

Increasing Mentalization to Reduce Maladaptive Defense in Patients With Mental Disorders

Background: There are indications of associations between the ability to mentalize and psychological defense mechanisms. However, only a few studies have focused on these associations, and even fewer have included empirical analyses. In the present study, we aimed to fill this research gap by analyzing the link between the ability to mentalize and psychological defense mechanisms in patients with mental disorders. We examined whether changes in defense mechanisms are predicted by an increase in mentalization or whether such changes are only related to reductions in psychopathology and interpersonal problems.Methods: A clinical sample of N = 89 patients was studied during and after inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to determine changes in mentalization, psychological defense, psychopathology, and interpersonal problems over the course of therapy and post-treatment. Linear regression analyses were used to predict the change in defense patterns based on an increase in mentalization.Results: Maladaptive defense mechanisms were significantly reduced during inpatient therapy and remained low until follow-up, whereas neurotic and adaptive defense mechanisms did not change significantly. The results of the regression analyses indicated that mentalization played an important role in the reduction in maladaptive defense during and after inpatient rehabilitation for mental disorders, whereas reductions in psychopathology and interpersonal distress were only partially associated with a reduction in maladaptive defense.Conclusion: We conclude that mentalization is vital for reducing maladaptive defense mechanisms, which are commonly associated with mental disorders. In therapy, an increase in patients' capacity to mentalize may be a practicable approach to diminish maladaptive defense mechanisms.

A Qualitative Study on of Psychological Stress Among Frontline Nurses Fighting COVID-19

Objectives To understand the mental health status of frontline nurses who were in direct contact with patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their tolerance for work duration and work intensity during the COVID epidemic, to identify the greatest source of stress, and to provide a scientific basis for targeted psychological interventions performed by clinical nursing managers to improve nurses' mental health. Methods Using a purposive sampling method, a semistructured interview was conducted with 50 nurses working in the COVID ward, observation ward, and fever clinic of a COVID-19 designated treatment hospital in Hefei City. The interview data were sorted and analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological research method. Results The frontline nurses felt stress, anxiety and loneliness, interpersonal distress, and psychological needs and had certain expectations regarding work duration and work intensity. Conclusion Nursing managers should pay attention to the psychological needs of frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, provide targeted intervention measures and make timely adjustments, and create a psychological stress response model for these nurses.

Risk for suicidal behaviour in personality disorders

While it is well known that depression, substance dependence, and schizophrenia are strongly associated with suicide, personality disorder also confers a significant risk, but has been consistently understudied. Borderline personality disorder has been consistently associated with suicide risk; additionally, antisocial personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder have also been found to have a significant risk but has received little research attention. Research also hints at the possibility that schizoid personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder could increase the risk for suicide as well. Importantly, stressful life events, such as those involving interpersonal distress and loss, confer a significant risk for those with personality disorders, possibly due to poor coping strategies. Reliable instruments with good psychometric properties need to be established that are sensitive to detecting axis II personality disorders. This text reviews the literature on risk factors and treatment approaches to suicidal behaviour in personality disorders.

RESOLUSI KONFLIK KELUARGA PADA ISTRI YANG MEMILIKI PENGHASILAN LEBIH TINGGI DARI SUAMI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana resolusi konflik keluarga pada istri yang memiliki penghasilan lebih tinggi dari suami. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari tiga pasangan suami dan istri, namun hanya fokus pada istri, yang dipilih secara purposive sampling. Data diperoleh melalui observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Analisis data menggunakan teknik analisis deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa resolusi konflik keluarga pada istri yang memiliki penghasilan lebih tinggi dari suami tidak semudah yang dibayangkan, Penyelesaian konflik yang tidak efektif memberi dampak negatif bagi kedua belah pihak seperti meningkatnya interpersonal distress dan menurunnya harga diri suami, munculnya sikap sombong dan arogan pada istri serta hilangnya kualitas hubungan positif dalam keluarga. Adanya keterbukaan penghasilan atau open sharing values, memberikan pujian atas usaha suami, mengabaikan pendangan negatif orang lain, mengelola keuangan keluarga dan komitmen menggunakan rekening bersama serta saling menghargai dan mendukung satu sama lain merupakan tindakan pemecahan masalah bersama yang dilakukan oleh subjek penelitian

Rumination Versus Distraction: Dyadic Implementation Eliminates the Response Manipulation Emotion Regulation Effect

The Response Manipulation Task (RMT) is a popular laboratory protocol for inducing rumination and distraction. Across published studies of dysphoric participants who undergo negative mood inductions when no other people are present, only once has the RMT induction failed in its purpose. The present experiment tested the robustness of the RMT under dyadic conditions (N = 135 pairs of same sex friends). When administered in the presence of another person, the RMT showed no differential effects on subsequent negative mood or state rumination. The negative mood induction successfully induced negative mood; the effect of the manipulation did not depend on depressive symptoms; and the state rumination measure was reliable and valid. In light of this pattern of effects, nonsignificant findings on manipulation checks and substantive hypothesis tests are attributed to failure of the RMT to produce rumination and distraction under these specific study conditions. The Discussion explores constraints on the generalizability of the RMT effect due to the presence of others, including the influence of dyadic emotion regulation, interpersonal distress avoidance, and secure attachment relationships.