The relationship between the Rorschach and assessment of the capacity to engage in short-term dynamic psychotherapy.

Abstract

The relationship between personality characteristics and interpersonal process in an interview to assess potential to engage in short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy was investigated. A five-variable stepwise regression model was used to assess the degree of association between Rorschach predictors and ratings on a validated observational rating scale designed for this type of assessment, the Capacity for Dynamic Process Scale.It is widely recognized that, in short-term dynamic psychotherapy, patient characteristics and selection criteria are of special importance (Bauer

Rorschach Comprehensive Variables and Assessment for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

“…The present research is most akin to the study by Alpher et al (1990). However, although Alpher et al made a rational selection of CS variables, the conceptual ground for the selection was not made clear.…”

“…Alpher, Perfetto, Henry, and Strupp (1990) conducted a study to investigate suitability for dynamic psychotherapy. Fifteen rationally chosen CS indicators and independent ratings of 'The Capacity for Dynamic Process Scale' (CDPS), focusing on the patient's observable capacity to collaborate therapeutically during a semistructured intake interview, the Interpersonal Assessment Interview, were studied.…”

“…The ratings of ego functioning variables in the present thesis are more akin to the everyday clinical assessments performed by psychotherapists before making decisions concerning psychotherapy than to more advanced assessment scales like the CDPS, used by Alpher et al (1990).…”

“…Often the tension is interpreted to be of situational character (Exner, , 1993. In the study by Alpher et al (1990), m related positively to the Capacity for Dynamic Process Scale, and Weiner (1998) contended that lack of m often indicates indifference and deficient concern, whereas elevations of m indicate concern about being exposed to forces outside one's control. Other authors have conceptualised m as positively related to suitability for psychodynamic psychotherapy.…”

“…SumT=0 is interpreted as indicating a tendency to be guarded and/or distant in interpersonal contacts, while an elevation of SumT (T>1) can indicate stronger than usual needs to be dependent on others and a feeling of emotional deprivation and interpersonal neediness (Exner, 1993;Weiner, 1998). The inclusion of SumT in the present research and the formulations of the predictions were motivated mainly by the positive result received by Alpher et al (1990). However, it was difficult to formulate predictions for the groups compared in Study 2, where one group of therapy patients assumed to be less suitable for dynamic psychotherapy was contrasted with two groups assumed to be more suitable.…”