scholarly journals Assessing personality change with Blatt's anaclitic and introjective configurations and Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure profiles: two case studies in psychodynamic treatment

Author(s):  
Osmano Oasi ◽  
Laura Buonarrivo ◽  
Alberto Codazzi ◽  
Margherita Passalacqua ◽  
Gio Matteo Risso Ricci ◽  
...  

A growing body of empirical and clinical research attests to the influence of personality features on the development, course and outcome of psychotherapy. Over the last four decades, Blatt adopted a psychoanalytic and cognitive developmental approach in developing a theoretically and empirically grounded two-configurations model of personality. The main aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in anaclitic and introjective configurations – as measured by the Depressive Experience Questionnaire (DEQ) (Blatt, D’Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976) – set against simultaneous changes in personality profile measured by Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200). Two young patients, a man and a woman, characterized by different personality profiles – introjective and anaclitic, respectively – were assessed for one year in the context of a psychodynamic psychotherapy. A battery of instruments – Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders I and II, Defense Mechanism Rating Scale, DEQ and SWAP-200 – were administered at the beginning, during the assessment process, and after one year. Both patients displayed lower BDI-II scores, along with evident clinical progress. Defence profiles and Core Conflict Relationship Themes showed interesting developments, in keeping with the evolution of the psychotherapy process. Lastly, while DEQ profiles outlined substantial stability after one year, some important changes in SWAP-200 profiles – in particular with regard to Q factors – were observed. Although these findings should be considered as preliminary, these results appear to be consistent with the description of Self-criticism and Dependency as relatively stable personality dimensions. The potential influence of profile diversity – introjective vs anaclitic – on other key variables of the psychotherapy process is also discussed.

Author(s):  
Francesca Locati ◽  
Pietro De Carli ◽  
Emanuele Tarasconi ◽  
Margherita Lang ◽  
Laura Parolin

The relationship between transference and therapeutic alliance has been long discussed. It is only recently, however, that empirical evidence has provided support for a tight correspondence between several transference dimensions and rupture and resolution processes. In the present single-case study, we used alliance ruptures as a key dimension to understand patient’s transference dynamics. This was achieved in a particular form of patient’s behavior, i.e., patient’s deference and acquiescent behavior, which describes a significant submission to assertions, skills, judgments and point of views of another person. Therapeutic process was measured by means of the Rupture Resolution Rating Scale, the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme and the Defense Mechanism Rating Scales, whereas therapeutic outcome was measured by means of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200. Results of sequential analysis yielded a significant correspondence between rupture markers, characterized by avoidance and shifting of session’s topic, and patient’s narrations. Furthermore, a systematic correspondence between alliance ruptures and patient’s avoidant functioning, which emerged both in transference relationship and in the quality of the defense structure, was found. Together, these findings indicate that patient’s deference inhibits the expression of relational themes, with ruptures in alliance that seem to be supported by a strong defensive structure. In particular, patient’s avoidance played a double role in the treatment. On the one hand, avoidance was the main characteristic of her transference structure, based on extreme intellectualization and emotional closure. On the other hand, it contributed to create an impasse in the treatment, based on a withdrawal ruptures model and on obsessive level defences.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Huseynova А.А. ◽  
Vashchinnikova K.D.

Turning to the new educational paradigm, the research paper considers the conditions for ensuring the effective-ness of authentic assessment of students ' achievements within the competence approach and the transition from traditional knowledge control to tests developed on the basis of the theory of pedagogical measurements. Special attention is paid to independent assessment as a tool for stimulating learning activities, as well as to the justifica-tion of the pattern design method used in the develop-ment of measurement tools. The experimental basis of the study is based on the results of an independent assess-ment of educational achievements of students of the sen-ior level of secondary vocational education in social studies in several educational organizations. As a result of the survey of participants in independent testing, the formation of a stable positive learning motivation is not-ed. The relationship with the assessment of the impact on educational motivation is confirmed by the respondents ' attitude to the authentic assessment procedure on the part of participants in the assessment process: school-children, teachers, and parents. As a result, it was re-vealed that all subjects of the educational process evalu-ate the impact of the proposed method of assessment on educational motivation from a positive side.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Devi Novita Damanik

Background: Anxiety is a condition of psychological and physiological disorders characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional disturbances and components of behavioral sequences. Purpose: This study aims to describe the anxiety of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This study uses univariate analysis which will describe the anxiety level of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. The anxiety variable was measured using the HARS (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) anxiety instrument with a validity value of 0.68 dd 0.93 and a reliability value of 0.93. The population in this study were all chronic kidney disease patients who underwent hemodialysis and experienced anxiety. The sampling technique used in this study was purposive sampling technique. The sample in this study were patients with chronic kidney disease who met the requirements of the study patients, namely: Patients who underwent hemodialysis for less than one year, patients undergoing hemodialysis with femoral vein puncture, patients undergoing hemodialysis twice a week. Results: The results showed that the study respondents had a mild anxiety rate of 9 patients (56.25%), moderate anxiety as many as 8 patients (21.875%) and severe anxiety as many as 8 patients (21.875%). Conclusion: conclusions and implications for nursing practice. The results showed a high incidence of anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis and distributed evenly on mild, moderate and severe anxiety.


Author(s):  
Cristiano Termine ◽  
Enzo Grossi ◽  
Valentina Anelli ◽  
Ledina Derhemi ◽  
Andrea E. Cavanna

Abstract Background The association of stereotypies and tics is not rare in children with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The differential diagnosis between stereotypies and tics in this patient population can be difficult; however, it could be clinically relevant because of treatment implications. Methods A total of 108 video recordings of repetitive behaviors in young patients with stereotypies in the context of ASD were reviewed by a movement disorders expert and a trainee, in order to assess the prevalence of possible co-morbid tics. The Modified Rush Videotape Rating Scale (MRVS) was used to rate tic frequency and severity. Results Out of 27 patients with stereotypies (24 males; mean age 14 years), 18 (67%) reported possible tics. The most frequently observed tics were eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, neck bending, staring, and throat clearing. The mean MRVS score was 5, indicating mild tic severity. The only significant difference between patients with tics and patients without tics was the total number of stereotypies, which was higher in the subgroup of patients without tics (p = 0.01). Conclusions Expert review of video-recordings of repetitive behaviors in young patients with ASD and stereotypies suggests the possibility of a relatively high rate of co-morbid tics. These findings need to be integrated with a comprehensive clinical assessment focusing on the diagnostic re-evaluation of heterogeneous motor manifestations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Angelo Picardi ◽  
Sara Panunzi ◽  
Sofia Misuraca ◽  
Chiara Di Maggio ◽  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The last decade has witnessed a resurgence of interest in the clinician’s subjectivity and its role in the diagnostic assessment. Integrating the criteriological, third-person approach to patient evaluation and psychiatric diagnosis with other approaches that take into account the patient’s subjective and intersubjective experience may bear particular importance in the assessment of very young patients. The ACSE (Assessment of Clinician’s Subjective Experience) instrument may provide a practical way to probe the intersubjective field of the clinical examination; however, its reliability and validity in child and adolescent psychiatrists seeing very young patients is still to be determined. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Thirty-three clinicians and 278 first-contact patients aged 12–17 years participated in this study. The clinicians completed the ACSE instrument and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale after seeing the patient, and the Profile of Mood State (POMS) just before seeing the patient and immediately after. The ACSE was completed again for 45 patients over a short (1–4 days) retest interval. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All ACSE scales showed high internal consistency and moderate to high temporal stability. Also, they displayed meaningful correlations with the changes in conceptually related POMS scales during the clinical examination. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> The findings corroborate and extend previous work on adult patients and suggest that the ACSE provides a valid and reliable measure of the clinician’s subjective experience in adolescent psychiatric practice, too. The instrument may prove to be useful to help identify patients in the early stages of psychosis, in whom subtle alterations of being with others may be the only detectable sign. Future studies are needed to determine the feasibility and usefulness of integrating the ACSE within current approaches to the evaluation of at-risk mental states.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-51
Author(s):  
Stuart Van Auken ◽  
Earl Chrysler ◽  
Ludmilla Gricenko Wells

Purpose This paper aims to focus on Master of Business Administration (MBA) alumni and their ability to provide institution-specific insights into MBA program delivery. Given desired MBA positioning dimensions, a case exemplar is used to reveal gaps between “should have” program emphases and “actual” emphases. Departures from expectations are used to reveal either under- or over-emphases which require repair. Design/methodology/approach The study develops a gap assessment procedure and the theory of gaps, and it presents insights into the prioritization of gaps for closing through the revelation of gap themes of varying magnitude. It also reveals the benefits and the limitations of emphasis-based gap assessments. Additionally, the study addresses the complexity of creating the dimensional structure for MBA program gap revelation. Findings This paper reports on the issues of framing dimensions, including the possibility of dimensional omissions, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of an emphasis-based gap model within an a priori identified structure. Practical implications The methodological approach provides a blueprint for additional program review, and it produces a strong structural base for MBA program positioning. It is also is particularly important in evaluating newly created one-year MBA programs. Originality/value The work reveals the potential for the revelation of both under- and over-emphases in MBA program delivery and the possible issue of sub-optimization in gap closing (i.e. the closing of one gap while opening another).


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1003-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Cocchi ◽  
Anna Meneghelli ◽  
Antonio Preti

Objective: This paper describes the structure and the organization of the single Italian programme specifically targeted at the early detection of and interventions for subjects at onset of or at high risk of psychosis, Programma 2000. Methods: Programma 2000 is a comprehensive multi-modal protocol of early intervention in psychosis, set up in Milan in 1999. The service has been very active since its opening, and at the time of writing (spring (April) 2008), more than 300 young patients have been evaluated through a detailed protocol that embraces Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Cognitive Behavioural Assessment 2.0, Disability Assessment Schedule, Camberwell Family Interview, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Early Recognition Inventory Retrospective Assessment of Symptoms. The treatment includes psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), both structured and unstructured psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy, when necessary. Results: The programme focuses on young people aged 17–30 years: to date, a total of 132 subjects with definite psychosis or within the high-risk category have been enrolled in treatment after assessment. Patients with first-episode psychosis were, on average and expectedly, more severe than those in the at-risk group, and were more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs. A large majority of patients in both groups received tailored CBT; individual sessions of skills training were provided to two-thirds of patients. In both groups, improvement was found in both the BPRS and HoNOS, and in the level of global functioning as assessed on Global Assessment of Functioning at 6 month and 1 year follow up. Global functioning was more sensitive to change than symptom severity, reflecting the intensive and personalized efforts to improve social and role functioning in patients. Conclusions: Programma 2000 is still in development but it has already gained the support of therapists and other relevant people involved in the life of subjects at onset, or at high risk of psychosis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homayoun Amini ◽  
Vandad Sharifi

Objectives. The aims of this study were (i) to compare Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) type I to those with schizophrenia during a one-year period after hospitalization and (ii) to assess the association of different domains of QOL with severity of clinical symptoms and level of functioning in bipolar patients group.Method. A hundred and two participants were consecutively recruited before discharge from an acute hospitalization. To measure QOL as the main outcome variable, the Farsi (Persian) version of the World Health Organization's QOL Instrument Short Version (WHOQOL BREF) was used. Affective symptoms, overall functioning, and severity of mental illness were assessed as well. The assessment procedure was repeated four, eight, and 12 months after discharge.Results. No significant differences were found between patients with BD and schizophrenia on four domains of WHOQOL BREF at the baseline and the four, eight, and 12 month assessments. Within the subjects with bipolar I disorder, the most stable finding was negative association of depression severity with WHOQOL-BREF on the all four domains during repeated assessments.Conclusion. The findings suggest that persistent depressive symptoms might be the primary determinant of impaired QOL in patients with bipolar I disorder.


2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Ishii ◽  
Kyoko Baba

This article explores how teachers, students and other stakeholders collaboratively develop classroom-based assessment procedures for the evaluation of oral skills. By considering crucial issues in assessment such as validity, teacher-learner collaboration, and contextual factors, the authors provide a checklist that will help ESL/EFL teachers develop meaningful assessment procedures for their own classrooms. The checklist addresses 16 questions worth considering in five test-developing stages: (a) identification of course objectives; (b) identification of skills, strategies, tasks and content; (c) design of rating procedures; (d) interpretation of learner performance; and (e) reflection on the impact of the assessment procedure. In all the stages the authors emphasize the significance of involving students in the assessment process, which promotes students' responsibility for their own learning.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Blossfeldt

The study investigates the outcome of acupuncture for chronic neck pain in a cohort of patients referred to an NHS chronic pain clinic. One hundred and seventy two patients were selected for acupuncture over a period of 6.5 years. Treatment was given by a single acupuncturist and consisted of a course of needle acupuncture for an average of seven sessions per patient. Treatment outcome was measured by an oral rating scale of improvement at the end of treatment and at follow up six months and one year after treatment. Nineteen patients were withdrawn from treatment for various reasons, two for adverse events. One hundred and fifty three patients were evaluated, of whom 68% had a successful outcome from acupuncture, reporting an improvement in pain of at least 50%. The success rate was higher in patients with a short duration of pain: 85% in patients with pain for up to three months and 78% with pain for up to six months. Long-term follow up showed that 49% of the patients who completed treatment had maintained the benefit after six months, and 40% at one year. The results indicate that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for selected patients with chronic neck pain.


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