Personality development in psychotherapy: a synergetic model of state-trait dynamics

Abstract

Theoretical models of psychotherapy not only try to predict outcome but also intend to explain patterns of change. Studies showed that psychotherapeutic change processes are characterized by nonlinearity, complexity, and discontinuous transitions. By this, theoretical models of psychotherapy should be able to reproduce these dynamic features. Using time series derived from daily measures through internet-based real-time monitoring as empirical reference, we earlier presented a model of psychotherapy which includes five state variables and four trait variables. In mathematical terms, the traits modulate the shape of the functions which define the nonlinear interactions between the variables (states) of the model. The functions are integrated into five coupled nonlinear difference equations. In the present paper, we model how traits (dispositions or competencies of a person) can continuously be altered by new experiences and states (cognition, emotion, behavior). Adding equations that link states to traits, this model not only describes how therapeutic interventions modulate short-term change and fluctuations of psychological states, but also how these can influence traits. Speaking in terms of Synergetics (theory of self-organization in complex systems), the states correspond to the order parameters and the traits to the control parameters of the system. In terms of psychology, trait dynamics is driven by the states—i.e., by the concrete experiences of a client—and creates a process of personality development at a slower time scale than that of the state dynamics (separation of time scales between control and order parameter dynamics).

The Therapy Process Questionnaire ‐ Factor analysis and psychometric properties of a multidimensional self‐rating scale for high‐frequency monitoring of psychotherapeutic processes

“…WPE reinforces change and may be an indicator of successful development. In a theoretical model of therapeutic change (Schiepek et al, ), experiences of success and positive emotions (both are covered by the WPE factor) are related to motivation for change, insight, and problem reduction, as well as to the long‐term evolution of personality traits (e.g., reduced hopelessness or increased self‐efficacy, mindfulness, and competences in emotion regulation; Schöller et al, ).…”

“…The factor structure of the TPQ corresponds to the theoretical constructs (variables) of a mathematical model, which explains some essential features of change dynamics in psychotherapy (Schiepek et al, ; Schöller et al, ). The variables of this model are “therapeutic success,” “motivation for change,” “dysphoric emotions,” “symptom severity,” and “insight.” The factors of the TPQ as presented here are not identical to these variables but very similar.…”

A complex systems approach to the study of change in psychotherapy

“…An important design consideration when collecting time-series data is selecting the time interval (sampling rate) most sensitive for detecting change in the variables of interest [5,66]. Some variables change slowly (e.g., over weeks, months, years) and others more quickly (e.g., in seconds, minutes, hours) [24,31,[67][68][69][70]. Researchers must select the sampling rate that considers theory and what is known about how a given variable moves across time.…”

Complex individual pathways or standard tracks? A data‐based discussion on the trajectories of change in psychotherapy

“…A second type of traffic lights indicates whether the dynamic complexity of a process increases or decreases compared to the level of the immediate last period.Time-series data representing change processes can be used for testing hypotheses derived from the nonlinear dynamic systems approach (synergetics and chaos theory). The most concrete reference of the data is a theoretical model of therapeutic change dynamics which includes the factors 'success/therapeutic progress' (S), 'emotions' (E), 'insight' (I), 'motivation for change' (M) and 'problem intensity' (P) as its order parameters(Schiepek et al, 2017;Schöller, Viol, Aichhorn, Hütt, & Schiepek, 2018). The option to measure the order parameters of the model allows for testing this nonlinear theory of change and to realise short-term predictions of the process (including critical instabilities) which could help to optimise treatments.…”